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New Delhi, Oct 17 (IANS) On the eve of Dhanteras, Diwali shoppers witnessed festive rush and rush on Delhi roads for the third consecutive day on Friday, while the Delhi Traffic Police deployed all its forces to control vehicles roaming around major markets and commercial areas.
Roads close to markets like Karol Bagh, Connaught Place, Laxmi Nagar, Rajouri Garden, Lajpat Nagar, Saket, Greater Kailash, Chandni Chowk, Model Town, Sarojini Nagar, Chanakyapuri, Teen Murti, Okhla and South Extension witnessed heavy traffic, especially during the evening office rush hour.
Traffic lights proved ineffective as vehicles stuck in the jam could not move, resulting in snaking traffic jams on major roads including the Ring Road and Outer Ring Road. It took hours for the passengers to cover the distance of a few kilometres.
“Commuters heading towards airports and railway stations are advised to leave home early and plan their journey keeping in mind the Diwali rush,” a Delhi Traffic Police official said.
The traffic police cautioned that the festive rush is likely to continue for the next two to three days.
In North Delhi, there was a long traffic jam on GT Karnal Road, Azadpur, Wazirpur, Raj Niwas Marg, Ghanta Ghar Chowk and Roshanara Road and the frustrated drivers could not move ahead.
Traffic also accumulated on the roads leading to Delhi borders. NH-48 and Mahipalpur Road going from Delhi to Gurugram were jammed. Mathura Road, Kalindi Kunj and Mayur Vihar remained blocked for several hours.
Special Commissioner, Traffic, Ajay Chaudhary, in response to a media query, said measures have been taken to manage the festive crowd.
A senior official said special efforts were being made to remove vehicles parked in unauthorized areas to reduce crowding in market areas.
The traffic police advised people to use public transport like Delhi Metro to avoid crowding on the roads.
DCP, Traffic, New Delhi Range, Rajeev Kumar said congestion was being seen on the roads due to extra congestion in markets and areas near bus terminals and railway stations.
Police Commissioner Satish Golcha directed district police chiefs not to stage dharnas at traffic jam points on busy roads.
Meanwhile, the traffic police issued a movement and parking advisory in view of the live music concert titled “Circus Maximus World Tour” featuring famous Hollywood rapper/singer Travis Scott at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium from 6 pm to 10 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Apart from the public parking facilities at Sewa Nagar Bus Depot and Sunehri Pulla Bus Depot, the traffic police said that there are several on-roads. The stadium and Lodhi Colony will remain closed for traffic.
“The general public is advised to avoid BP Marg, Lodhi Road and roads around JLN Stadium during the event. Motorists are requested to follow diversion signs and traffic police instructions to avoid inconvenience,” the advisory said.
–IANS
RCH/VD