Traffic snarl caused by heavy rush of devotees

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 13

Traffic snarls were reported from some areas of the city due to heavy rush of devotees on ghats for Chhat Puja celebrations, said Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Alok Kumar. Heavy traffic was reported from the Kalindi Kunj area, but the situation in other parts remains normal, he said.

Traffic congestion was witnessed at ITO and Vikas Marg. About 3,000 traffic police personnel have been deployed at around 200 major intersections leading to the ghats, most of them in the central, north, east and southeast districts, to ensure smooth flow of vehicular movement.

The Delhi Traffic Police had earlier issued an advisory about special traffic arrangements and restrictions in view of the Chhath Puja celebrations.

Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari also reached Sonia Vihar Ghat to accompany devotees. Huge rush of devotees for Chhat Puja at ghats and elsewhere cause traffic jam at various places in the city.

Tiwari entered the Yamuna in a motor boat and felicitated lakhs of devotees paying obeisance to the Sun God at Sonia Vihar, Jagatpur, Baba Colony Burari Ghats spread over five kilometres and also got their blessings.

He also addressed the devotees present in the camp organised by the BJP at Sonia Vihar Yamuna Bank and sang devotional song for them.

Commuters have been asked to avoid several routes, including the Outer Ring Road — from Mukarba Chowk to Chandgiram Akhara, Wazirabad Bridge, areas near ISBT Kashmere Gate, Pushta Road (Khajoori, Shastri Park), Kalindi Kunj Bridge for two days.

Traffic remains affected on the roads adjoining the major ghats of the Yamuna and water bodies like the Bhalaswa Lake and Haiderpur Canal.

Police have also advised commuters to use Master Plan Road and Nalah Road as alternate routes.