Noida: The movement of Swiss President Guy Parmelin’s convoy between Delhi and Noida International Airport in Jewar left commuters stuck in long tailbacks on Noida Expressway and connecting routes towards the Chilla border, DND Flyway and Noida Elevated Road on Tuesday.The restrictions also hit roads around Pari Chowk in Greater Noida, where vehicles diverted from the expressway added to the congestion. Vehicles were held for nearly 40 minutes during both morning and afternoon movements — the convoy left Delhi around 10.30 am and returned from Jewar around 2 pm.Om Dutt, a resident of Sector 137, said the jam began earlier than usual. “Normally during rush hours, I travel via Sector 14, and see traffic jams between Gautam Budh Park near Sector 15A and DLF Mall. The rest of the route is usually clear. Today, the logjam began from DLF Mall and stretched across the expressway,” he said.Several commuters shared photographs and videos on X, questioning the arrangements for the VVIP movement. Vijay Vinay said tailbacks persisted on the expressway throughout the day. “The traffic was stopped for 40 minutes at a stretch. Commuters had to bear the consequences of the arrangements made for the VVIP movement,” he said in his post.DCP (traffic) Pravin Ranjan Singh said the VVIP movement had slowed traffic during the day. “In the evening, a private sleeper bus caught fire on the Noida Expressway near Sector 148, due to which traffic was further affected. Traffic personnel were deployed to manage the traffic movement throughout the day,” he said.The expressway has been halted for such movements before. In June 2025, traffic was stopped for around 10-15 minutes on each passage of the vice-president’s convoy. During a CDS convoy in Aug 2025, police barricaded all entry points, causing a halt of 15-20 minutes. In Sept 2023, traffic was held for 35 minutes on the DND Flyway and Noida Expressway for President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to India Expo Mart for the UP International Trade Show.Additional CP Rajeev Narayan Mishra said the traffic was not halted for 40 minutes. “We provided alternate routes and issued traffic advisories as well. People who may not have been aware may have faced some difficulties,” he said.Police said they cannot decide the movement timings of VVIPs but can only clear traffic, issue advisories and make diversions. “We have also tied up with Google to ensure that navigation reflects real-time changes,” the additional CP said.
