Sawan Shivratri Disrupts Delhi-NCR Traffic; Commuters Advised to Reroute

Traffic movement across Delhi-NCR faced significant disruptions on Tuesday morning as the Sawan Shivratri festival drew large numbers of devotees, known as Kanwariyas, towards Shiva temples. This surge in pilgrims led to diversions, lane restrictions, and considerable congestion on several major routes spanning Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad.

Key arterial roads connecting these regions experienced substantial impact. Stretches along routes frequented by Kanwariyas saw pre-emptive traffic diversions and restrictions, resulting in increased vehicular pressure at multiple points. The Delhi-Meerut Expressway was temporarily closed to accommodate the Kanwar movement, adding to the travel challenges.

Traffic police authorities in Delhi, Noida, and Faridabad issued advisories urging commuters to plan their journeys meticulously. They recommended avoiding non-essential travel during peak hours and utilizing alternate routes whenever feasible. Specific areas like the Kalindi Kunj-Noida-Delhi Border and the DND Flyway were expected to see affected traffic due to Kanwariya movement and diversions.

Routes around the Ghazipur Border and the Badarpur Border, along with adjoining stretches of Mathura Road, were also anticipated to experience slower traffic. Connecting roads between Noida and Greater Noida, particularly towards the Delhi border, might also see reduced speed as diversions placed additional pressure on alternative corridors.

To manage the situation and maintain law and order, over 15,000 security personnel were deployed across Delhi. Authorities identified eight designated Kanwar routes passing through busy corridors, including Ring Road, Mathura Road, Wazirabad Road, GT Road, Rohtak Road, and Najafgarh Road. Commuters were strongly advised to avoid these routes during peak movement times. Notably, the GT Road stretch between Apsara Border and Yamuna Bridge was completely closed to general traffic from 7 a.m. on August 9 until 8 p.m. on August 12.