Finding a parking spot near Kartavya Path during Republic Day celebrations just became much simpler. For the first time, Delhi Police has rolled out a QR code-based parking system. They worked closely with the Ministry of Defence to set this up.
How the New QR Code Parking System Works
The system covers 22 designated parking lots. These lots can handle nearly 8,000 vehicles. This initiative aims to streamline parking for the Republic Day parade on January 26 and the Beating Retreat ceremony on January 29.
Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) D K Gupta explained the benefits. He said the QR code facility will guide commuters to the parking lot closest to their seating area. From there, guests can walk to their seats easily.
Gupta emphasized that this will prevent confusion for attendees. He noted that the facility operates with real-time data and requires no human intervention. This ensures a smooth experience for everyone.
Parking Passes and Visitor Guidelines
The Ministry of Defence issues about 77,000 passes to spectators each year for the parade. Out of these, approximately 8,000 passes include parking privileges. Visitors with parking passes will find QR codes on their tickets. They can scan these codes to access their assigned parking lot.
Delhi Traffic Police issued an advisory on Saturday. They will restrict vehicle entry on roads leading to Kartavya Path from 6 am to 12:30 pm on January 26. Officials strongly advise using public transport to reach the venue on that day.
The parade starts at 10:30 am, but seating begins at 7 am. All visitors must carry a valid government-issued photo ID along with their entry passes. After parking, some guests may need to walk a short distance to their seats.
Additional Facilities for Attendees
A similar QR code parking system will be available for the Beating Retreat ceremony on January 29. This event marks the end of the Republic Day festivities.
Traffic police also confirmed the return of the park-and-ride facility. It will operate from Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium and Connaught Place on both January 26 and 29. Visitors can park their vehicles at designated areas and then take shuttle buses to Kartavya Path. After the events, these buses will drop them back at the parking locations.
Special Seating Arrangements
The government has named 23 seating enclosures along Kartavya Path after various Indian rivers. These include Ganga, Yamuna, Gandak, Teesta, Sutlej, Ravi, Krishna, Narmada, Kosi, Kaveri, Sindhu, Godavari, and Jhelum. This naming adds a cultural touch to the Republic Day celebrations.
This new QR code parking system represents a significant step forward in managing large-scale events in Delhi. It leverages technology to reduce traffic congestion and improve the overall experience for thousands of visitors.
