Rally against drugs spells chaos for commuters on key city roads

The city witnessed a chaos when the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) organised a rally against drugs. The event, meant to raise awareness about dangers of drug abuse, inadvertently created a massive traffic jam that frustrated residents for hours.

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The presence of prominent AAP leaders, Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Singh Mann, drew a large crowd. To accommodate the event, the police blocked several key roads, diverting traffic onto already busy alternative routes. The sudden influx of vehicles overwhelmed city’s roads, leading to gridlock.

A major point of contention was the location of the event’s stage. It was set up at Aarti Chowk, a congested intersection even on a usual day. The decision to block the road leading to Ghumar Mandi, a vital commercial area, further compounded the problem. The event, which lasted over three hours, turned surrounding roads into a parking lot.

Residents caught in the traffic jam expressed frustration. Long lines of cars, motorcycles and auto-rickshaws stretched along Circuit House Road and Ferozepur Road. The once-flowing streets were now a sea of immobile vehicles.

Ravinder Kumar, whose car was stuck in the jam, acknowledged the importance of the anti-drug message. However, he criticised the choice of location. “It’s a good cause but Aarti Chowk is always a mess. Today, it’s a disaster. The Ferozepur road highway, which normally helps the traffic, is now the main problem,” he said.

Another commuter echoed this sentiment, suggesting that a large open field would have been a more suitable venue. “They should not close main roads for political events,” the person said.

“It disrupts everyone’s lives.”

The traffic jam caused significant delays for businesses, workers and emergency services. Ambulances, with their sirens blaring, struggled to navigate congested streets. The economic and social impact of the traffic jam was substantial. Many people were late or unable to attend work, appointments or keep other important obligations.

As the event concluded and roads slowly began to clear, the city was left to grapple with the aftermath. Many people began to question choices that had been made and the impact the event had on the regular flow of the city’s life. The need to find a balance between political events and needs of residents became clear.

Ghumar Mandi shopkeepers alleged that due to such events frequently being organised, footfall of customers had been falling.