The festive spirit of Dhanteras and Diwali has taken over the nation, making its presence felt in bustling markets and bustling roads. As crowds gather to celebrate, expressways like Agra and Yamuna are witnessing gridlocks extending more than a kilometer, causing significant inconvenience. The scene is just as crowded on the trains. The general compartments are so packed that some are forced to use the restroom space to travel, while navigating through the AC coaches has become a tiresome task, taking hours to reach their seats.
This year, Diwali falls on a Monday, aligning with the weekend. People working in and around Delhi NCR have decided to head home for the holidays, leaving on Friday night and Saturday morning, hence the massive traffic surges at the expressway toll plazas.
Source: aajtak
Read More: Massive Traffic Congestion in Delhi-NCR Pre-Diwali, Long Vehicle Queues, See the Impact
Crowd Surges in Delhi Markets
The famous Lajpat Nagar Central Market of Delhi is a beehive of activity. From early morning, shoppers are thronging in huge numbers, and buying in bulk. Measures are in place to manage the crowds, with police deployment and continuous monitoring through CCTV cameras. Safety announcements are made regularly to guide the eager shoppers.
Source: aajtak
Long Traffic Jams in Kalka and Chirag Delhi
The roads around the Kalka Temple leading to Nehru Place/Chirag Delhi and towards Modi Mill are choked with traffic from the early hours. Friday evening, similar chaos happened, creating significant difficulties for commuters heading from Kalka Temple to Chirag Delhi/Airport.
Severe Jam in Karad
Beyond Delhi NCR, Maharashtra's Karad on the Pune-Bengaluru National Highway also reports serious traffic issues, with hours-long delays for just a short distance travel of 2 kilometers.
Source: aajtak
Heavy Crowds at Railway Stations
The festival rush has also hit railway stations, especially New Delhi and Anand Vihar, swarming with travelers heading to their hometowns. Bustling platforms are managed with extensive police presence and barricades to prevent overcrowding when trains arrive. Announcements assist in directing the flow of passengers efficiently.
Surge of Passengers at Lucknow Railway Station
In Lucknow, trains are challenged by the overwhelming passenger influx. The situation is so severe that some passengers are unable to board their trains, missing their schedules. Bihar-bound trains from Lucknow exhibit an astounding number of travelers, forcing some to journey in restrooms due to the congested environments.
