Fair crowds choke 500m stretch near Sheetla Mata Mandir in Gurugram

Traffic snarls hit CRPF Camp–mandir road; police deploy diversions, advisories as 1 lakh daily footfall strains access to Old City sectors

Traffic congestion has worsened on the 500m stretch between CRPF Camp Chowk and Sheetla Mata Mandir in Gurugram due to heavy vehicular movement and increased footfall during an ongoing religious fair, residents and commuters said on Wednesday.

Jaywalking, poor walkways add to congestion, as seen on Wednesday; checkpoints, patrols in place as GMDA plans ₹76 crore road and pedestrian upgrades (HT)

Residents said slow traffic is disrupting connectivity between Old Gurugram sectors and Sheetla Colony, affecting access to sectors 3, 5, 23A, Rajeev Colony, Gurugram Village and nearby areas. “Daily travel from Sadar Bazaar towards Sheetla Colony and Old Railway Road is taking longer than usual. Jay walking has become a common sight on the stretch,” said Soumya, a resident of the old city. Kuldeep Yadav, a resident of Palam Vihar, said increased vehicle volume and poorly kept pedestrian walkways are causing the problem. “Instead of taking the footover bridge, some visitors flock to the road by trying to jump the barricades placed on the divider,” he said.

A senior police official at Sector 5 police station said riders and patrolling units have been deployed. “Public advisories have been issued against the use of heavy vehicles on the stretch. Checkpoints are in place at connecting stretches towards Signature Towers, CRPF Camp, Kataria Chowk and Prakash Puri for smooth traffic flow and diverting heavy vehicles,” the officer said, requesting anonymity. Sumit Kumar, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Shri Mata Sheetla Devi Shrine Board, said only two traffic jams have been reported since festivities began in March. “With an average daily footfall of about 100,000, the fair has largely remained peaceful. Civil defence volunteers are assisting the local traffic police teams for smooth vehicular flow,” Kumar said. He added barricading of dividers was done following police communication in February, and visitors are being guided to designated parking areas. A senior traffic police official said cranes, ambulances and fire tenders have been deployed.