New Delhi: Traffic across Delhi slowed to a crawl as the kanwar yatra entered its final phase that has seen a sharp rise in the number of pilgrims, particularly dak kanwars and decorated trucks, clogging key routes.Over the past two days, the city has seen prolonged, unrelenting congestion, affecting both intercity and intracity commuters.The primary pressure point is the increasing number of dak kanwars — groups of devotees moving in fast relay-like formations — and large kanwar trucks carrying elaborate setups with loudspeakers and decorations. These trucks, often move in clusters and at slow speed, occupying entire lanes and forcing traffic to stall around them. In many places, kanwarias also took over footpaths and service lanes, further squeezing movement.On Monday, the DND Flyway, Ashram flyover, and stretches of Ring Road were choked through much of the day. Areas like Moolchand, AIIMS, Defence Colony and Ashram saw gridlock, while the Outer Ring Road and Mathura Road lit up red on traffic maps, indicating near-continuous congestion.“I was stuck at Defence Colony for over an hour. There was no accident or breakdown, just slow-moving convoys that held everything up,” a commuter said. Another person travelling from Noida to Ring Road said: “It felt like my car was crawling all the time. It was not peak hour, but afternoon.”The entire day until 8pm saw similar conditions on many stretches. Sources said that on both roads, kanwar camps were situated nearby. Kalindi Kunj was no better.To manage the disruption, Delhi Traffic Police enforced restrictions and diversions on Monday and Tuesday. Commercial vehicles and buses were barred from using Yudhistir Setu (Tis Hazari to Shahdara) and Boulevard Road (ISBT Kashmiri Gate to Tis Hazari). Similar restrictions were placed on Lothian Road.Key diversions were also activated at Kashmiri Gate’s metro gate 5, ISBT Ring Road out gate and GPO Chowk. Heavy vehicles were rerouted through longer loops —via Yamuna Marg, Raj Niwas Marg, or NH-24 through Akshardham — adding load to already congested routes.Despite increased deployment of personnel and advisories urging route changes, the high volume of kanwar-related movement continued to slow traffic throughout the day. Officials expect a gradual easing by late early Wednesday as the yatra winds down.
