PUNE: The city finally got a taste of the mega sports event that New Delhi is going to host next month, as the Queen’s Baton Relay arrived in Pune on Thursday.

The baton relay is a part of the Commonwealth Games 2010 and got a rousing welcome in the city.

Prominent corporators and veteran sports personalities welcomed the baton, which came from Satara in the morning. Former India cricket captain Chandu Borde, former Davis cup tennis player Gaurav Natekar, veteran rowing champion Smita Shirole and Hockey Olympian Ajit Lakra were among the sportspersons who carried the relay through the city.

The baton’s journey started in Katraj and then it arrived in Sarasbag to a grand welcome as school kids lined up on the roads to cheer. Youngsters shouted slogans to show their support for the Games as the Baton reached Balewadi Sports Complex at the end of the day after crossing through Laxmi Road, FC Road and Ganeshkhind Road.

However, the Baton left a long trail of traffic jams on these roads and connecting routes, and the situation became worse as the evening rush hour traffic joined in.

Alka Lamba, convener of the Queen’s Baton Relay subcomittee said the reception in Pune has been one of the best so far in the country. “I have been with the Baton throughout its journey in India and this city’s enthusiasm is one of the best so far,” she said.

“People are right now in a festive mood because of Ganesh Utsav and Eid, and that has just added more colour to this relay,” she added.

The baton will move on to Mumbai on Friday and will continue its journey up north. It will arrive in New Delhi on September 30, three days before the Commonwealth Games begin in the capital.

WHAT IS THE QUEEN’S BATON RELAY?

The Queen’s Baton Relay is a tradition followed by the CWG host nation, in which a baton travels across the world through 70 Commonwealth nations. This year’s relay was flagged off by Queen Elizabeth II in London and Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra was the first baton bearer.