New Delhi: The festive rush ahead of Dhanteras and Diwali has brought the national capital to a standstill, with massive traffic jams choking several major markets and arterial roads. As throngs of shoppers step out to make their festive purchases, vehicular movement across Delhi NCR has been severely hit, leaving commuters frustrated and stranded for hours.
The impact of the festive shopping spree was heavily felt on Wednesday, with popular markets including Chandni Chowk, Karol Bagh, Sarojini Nagar, Lajpat Nagar, South Extension, Rajouri Garden, and Kamla Nagar experiencing unprecedented gridlocks. In North Delhi, vehicles were seen crawling bumper-to-bumper from Kamla Nagar all the way to the Delhi University traffic signal.
The congestion was not just limited to shopping hubs. Crucial transit points such as Kashmere Gate, Hauz Khas, Defence Colony, and Pitampura’s Kohat Enclave also reported heavy traffic snarls. Furthermore, major connecting routes including ITO, Dhaula Kuan, and the Lodhi Road flyover witnessed long queues of vehicles. Commuters travelling between Delhi and Gurugram also faced a harrowing time, while the Barapullah corridor from AIIMS to Sarai Kale Khan saw vehicles moving at a snail’s pace.
Adding to the chaos is the acute shortage of parking spaces. With an influx of private vehicles heading towards commercial hubs, designated parking lots are filling up rapidly, forcing many to park illegally on roadsides and further narrowing the space for moving traffic.
In light of the escalating situation, the Delhi Traffic Police has issued an advisory urging citizens to rely on public transportation. “People are advised to use the metro and buses instead of private vehicles to avoid the festive rush,” a traffic police official stated. Authorities have also requested shoppers to check real-time traffic updates before leaving their homes and strictly park in authorised areas to prevent further road blockages.
With Diwali just around the corner, the traffic situation is expected to remain challenging in the coming days, making public transport the most viable option for navigating the capital.