Festive fervour causes traffic mess, throws life out of gear

Heavy traffic snarls were reported in light of the Dusshera celebrations and processions of idol immersions across the national Capital on Thursday. Maximum traffic was reported in the areas of Central and North Delhi, especially the area around the Red Fort and Kotwali circle. 

These areas witnessed maximum rush in the evening due to the vehicles of the VIPs who were out to attend Dusshera celebrations. People thronged the grounds where Ramlila plays were being showcased, thus disrupting the traffic and leading to massive jams.

Heavy traffic movement was reported from the Netaji Subhash Marg, Nishad Raj Marg, New Darya Ganj Road, Jawahar Lal Nehru Marg and Turkman Gate after 5 pm which continued till late night, said a traffic police officer managing the situation. Despite the traffic advisory laid down by the Delhi Traffic Police, heavy traffic was reported near the Red Fort ground area. Major traffic snarls was reported from the roads leading to the Dara Sikoh Park, Parade Ground and Dangal Maidan near the Old Delhi Railway station.

The three historical Ramlilas in the area were — Dharmik Ramlila committee in Dara Sikoh Park, Lav Kush Ramlila committee at Defence Ground and Nav Shri Dharmik Lila committee at Parade Ground near Subhash Maidan. One Ramlila near the Old Delhi Railway station took place at Dangal Maidan.  Due to the VIP involvement at the Parade ground Ramlila, roads leading to the venue were blocked around 5 pm. With President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice-President Hamid Ansari, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah visiting the Parade ground to witness the burning of the effigy of demon king Ravana on Thursday evening, traffic cops had a tough time managing the situation. 

 At another venue at the Ramlila Ground, union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval witnessed the ‘Ravan Dahan’, which also led to massive traffic jams in the area. In North-west Delhi, Dussehra celebrations taking place at the PU Block of Pitampura saw massive traffic jams. “People have parked their cars on the flyover to watch the burning of the effigies. This has choked the road and resulted in heavy traffic jams.” said Ram Singh, a local resident. 

Due to the Durga idol immersion processions which started around 10 am and went up till 2 pm on Thursday, heavy traffic jams were reported at the Mandir Marg, Panchkuian Road, Connaught Place, Outer Circle, Minto Road, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Outer Ring Road and Chittaranjan Park, revealed a traffic official. Apart from these, traffic movement was normal in the other parts of the city, said a traffic officer.