Traffic jams on the busy National Highway-24 in East Delhi have become the order of the day with a large number of Kanwarias undertaking their annual pilgrimage on foot to and from Haridwar in Uttarakhand.
“We have made arrangements in a bid to ensure smooth traffic flow, but it is difficult to manage the situation given the large number of devotees pouring in from all sides,” said a Traffic Police officer on Saturday. He said all commercial vehicles coming from Uttar Pradesh were being diverted to National Highway-24 in view of the Kanwar Yatra, while two other entry points had been closed.
“Small vehicles are also being diverted to the highway. The route towards Dehra Dun has also been blocked to traffic to facilitate movement of the Kanwarias,” he said.
The police in the Capital have blocked movement of commercial vehicles towards trans-Yamuna areas via Wazirabad Road, Grand Trunk Road and Vikas Marg to prevent road congestion. Since the commercial vehicles entering through Gazipur border are allowed in after 9.30 p.m., a large number of trucks remain parked, encroaching most part of the road width, which allows little space for other vehicles to pass through. “This has been leading to traffic jams on, especially at night,” said Ghaziabad resident Ravi.
Besides, a section of Kanwarias travelling in vehicles have been found violating traffic rules with impunity, passing lewd remarks and misbehaving with women commuters. “Some Kanwarias going towards Sarai Kale Khan from Ashram Chowk in a truck on Friday were dancing to loud music, making obscene gestures towards women,” said Neeta.
Stating that the police could not take stringent action against such groups of rowdy elements as it could lead to a much bigger law and order situation, the officer said normality on the roads would be restored when the Kanwar Yatra concludes in a couple of days.
