Traffic in Delhi slows down as Chhath Puja concludes

Early morning commuters in Delhi were caught in slow traffic at many places along Yamuna on Friday as devotees dispersed after worshipping the rising sun for Chhath Puja

Early morning commuters in Delhi were caught in slow traffic at many places along the Yamuna as thousands of devotees dispersed after worshipping the rising sun on on Friday, the last day of Chhath Puja.

Traffic slowed down as devotees walked back home after the prayers, which coincided with the morning rush hour, dedicated to the Sun god and his wife Usha.

“The situation became worse because vehicles picking up or dropping the devotees or their Puja items had been parked illegally on the roadside,” said a traffic police officer, who did not wish to be named.

Traffic snarls were witnessed on Vikas Marg, ITO Ring Road, Kalindi Kunj and on both carriageways of the route between Madhuban Chowk and Peeragarhi on Outer Ring Road.

Traffic police said they had deployed extra personnel to manage the situation as they anticipated heavy spillover on the roads leading to the ghats. The police earlier issued an advisory asking motorists to avoid roads around ghats and other water bodies from 3pm to 8pm on Thursday and 4am to 8am on Friday.

A senior traffic police officer said the situation improved as the day progressed.

“We had estimated that the devotees would return home by 8am but it took longer. It’s getting better though,” said the officer.

Traffic police said 34 water bodies had been earmarked for the four-day Chhath Puja in Delhi for the people to perform the rituals that include take a holy bath, fasting, and offering water and other material (arghya) to the setting and rising sun.

Officials they do not expect any traffic issues during the rest of the day.

Chhath is celebrated by Purvanchalis, natives of Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, who are the largest migrant group in the city.