New Delhi, July 1 (IANS) Many schools in the capital reopened Thursday as the summer vacation, which normally extends till July 7 or even later, was cut short because of the the Commonwealth Games.

The Delhi government had decided to alter the dates for summer and autumn vacations this year to avoid traffic congestion during Commonwealth Games to be held Oct 3-14.

The autumn break has been extended from eight to 17 days while summer vacations were reduced from 61 days to 49 days. The autumn break will be held from Oct 1-17.

There was huge rush outside schools as parents came to drop their wards, especially the younger ones.

Schools like Salwan Public, Manav Sthali, Delhi Public School R.K. Puram, Bal Bharti and Shri Ram reopened Thursday while Springdales, Pusa Road, will reopen Friday.

‘Majority of the schools have reopened from today (Thursday). There have been some changes in the dates of the autumn break due to the Commonwealth Games,’ said R.P. Mallick, chairman, Federation of Public Schools.