NEW DELHI: Long queues of vehicles, groups of Kanwariyas on motorcycles and on foot, crowded markets and roadside Kanwar camps led to traffic disruptions across several parts of Delhi on Monday as the annual pilgrimage entered its penultimate day.Commuters reported slow movement on several busy stretches as pilgrims carrying Kanwars — decorated bamboo poles with containers filled with Ganga water — moved towards their destinations.Long queues were reported on Radhakrishnan Marg and Abai Marg, as well as on the stretch between LSR College and Nehru Place. Traffic was also slow near the Savitri flyover towards Chirag Delhi.In Rohini, a gathering at a Kanwar camp near Shri Shiv Hanuman Mandir in Sector 2 added to congestion. Several devotees were seen resting under temporary shelters, with saffron flags bearing images of Hindu deities flying above the camps.Groups of Kanwariyas travelled on motorcycles or walked together, carrying their Kanwars on their shoulders. Their movement, coupled with gatherings around camps and increased pedestrian activity in markets, affected traffic flow at several locations.In Greater Kailash, traffic near the Archana Complex red light was affected by ongoing road-divider construction, residents said. At Main Uttam Nagar red light, commuters complained that e-rickshaws, roadside vendors and flower shops had occupied portions of the road, narrowing the carriageway.Residents said the encroachments left limited space for vehicles to pass and made it difficult for emergency vehicles to move through the stretch.On the Delhi-Ghaziabad side, traffic moved slowly near the Delhi-Meerut Expressway around Patparganj amid heavy rain. A video shared by commuters purportedly showed a car travelling on the wrong side of the road, raising concerns about road safety.The Delhi Traffic Police had earlier issued an advisory warning of congestion on several routes due to the movement of Kanwariyas, particularly around Kalindi Kunj junction, the Okhla Barrage road and the Noida-Kalindi Kunj road.Traffic movement around Kalindi Kunj is expected to remain affected until August 12 due to the movement of pilgrims and ongoing road repair work on the Okhla Barrage-Kalindi Kunj stretch.The traffic police have also announced the closure of GT Road between Apsara Border and Yamuna Bridge for general traffic on August 11 and 12. Commuters have been advised to use alternative routes, including NH-9 and NH-44.Rain further slowed traffic in parts of the capital on Monday. According to the India Meteorological Department, Mayur Vihar recorded the highest rainfall at 37 mm, followed by Mungeshpur at 21 mm, Pusa at 4 mm and Narayana at 3 mm till 4.15pm.The IMD has forecast light to moderate rain in Delhi until August 16 and warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places.The Kanwar Yatra, which began on July 30, will conclude on Tuesday on the occasion of Shivratri.
