Delhi Traffic Police has issued an advisory urging people to plan their journeys carefully and avoid unnecessary travel during peak hours. Check routes to avoid here.
Delhi faced heavy traffic jams on Friday as the festive season led to a sharp rise in the number of vehicles on the roads. Long lines of cars moving slowly or not at all caused major delays, leaving many commuters stuck for hours. Traffic congestions were reported in key intersections and prominent areas in the capital, including Moolchand flyover, Chanakyapuri, Teen Murti Marg and ITO as the city gears up for Diwali on October 20.
To handle the situation, the Delhi Traffic Police cancelled all staff leave until Chhath Puja, except for emergencies, so that more personnel could be deployed on the roads.
An order from the Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic Zone-II) said the move was needed to ensure better traffic control during the festive rush.
Bhavesh Kumar, who was driving from Model Town to Connaught Place, said his regular trip took almost double the time. “The drive was fine until Vidhan Sabha, but once I reached Civil Lines, traffic stopped completely. It took me over an hour,” he said.
Massive traffic hits key areas: Routes to avoid
- Moolchand Flyover
- ITO Junction
- Chanakyapuri
- Teen Murti Marg
- Bhera Enclave Chowk
- Mathura Road from Badarpur to Ashram Chowk
- IFFCO Chowk and Delhi-Gurugram Highway
Travis Scott traffic restrictions
- Entry Gates: 2, 6, 8, 13, 14 & 21 (Gates 1 & 10 reserved for emergency)
- Parking: Sewa Nagar Bus Depot, Sunheri Pulla Bus Depot (Roadside parking prohibited)
- Traffic Diversions (4:00 PM – 10:00 PM): JLN Red Light, Sewa Nagar Bus Depot Red Light, 5th Avenue Road Dhobi Ghat, Pragati Vihar Red Light, Lala Lajpat Rai Marg T-Point, Barapullah Cut near Gate No. 5, Jangpura Metro Station (Suchna Bhawan T-Point)
- Restrictions: Heavy vehicles prohibited from JLN Stadium Red Light to B.P. Marg between 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Advisory: Avoid B.P. Marg, Lodhi Road, and surrounding roads during event hours. Use public transport and follow traffic police instructions.
As the Delhi Police cancelled the leaves of all traffic personnel, special traffic plans have been drawn up for major market areas such as Lajpat Nagar, Sarojini Nagar, and Connaught Place, where crowding is expected to peak ahead of the festival.
