New Delhi: With the mahaashtami festivities on Tuesday, south Delhi witnessed massive traffic congestion. A sudden spell of rain added to the woes, making alternate routes also a struggle.The narrow lanes of CR Park, the city’s Durga Puja hub, and the adjoining Greater Kailash-II bore the brunt. The ripple effect extended to major arterial roads, including Outer Ring Road (Panchsheel-GK-II), Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, JB Tito Marg and Inder Mohan Bhardwaj Marg. It allegedly took 26 minutes to travel from Chirag Dilli to CR Park, roughly three km, due to road closures and heavy crowds.People voiced frustration over limited options. A commuter posted, “Massive bottleneck from Kalkaji Mandir towards Savitri for the last 20 minutes, no traffic movement.”Authorities suggested alternate routes via MG Road, Aurobindo Marg, Mathura Road, Lala Lajpat Rai Road and Mehrauli-Badarpur Road, but they were also congested. Commuters posted pictures of stalled vehicles online. The rain forced motorcyclists to take shelter under flyovers and also caused waterlogging in some areas. A resident tweeted, “Dear all please help, rain stopped by 1pm and still waterlogging is not cleared in front of Air Force Station going towards Gurgaon.”Waterlogging was also reported along the Sangam Vihar-Asian Market stretch. Zakhira Railway Underpass on Road No. 40 experienced disruptions for a while, prompting diversions near Inderlok Chowk via Chaudhary Nahar Singh Marg. On the lanes of Rajouri Garden and Pitampura, one posted, “Delhi after 2 hours of rain: Roads = lakes | Homes = ponds | Traffic lights = swimming lessons.”
