On the eve of Raksha Bandhan, several parts of Delhi-NCR witnessed heavy traffic congestion Friday evening as people rushed to their hometowns for the festival weekend.
Long queues of vehicles were reported on major routes, including NH-9 near Chhajarsi, Noida-Akshardham Road towards Gandhi Nagar, Geeta Colony, and Shastri Park. Congestion was also seen on Delhi–Gurugram roads, South Delhi stretches, Jahangirpuri, and Indirapuram.
Earlier in the day the Delhi Traffic Police issued an advisory warning of possible traffic jams on roads leading out of the city, especially on National Highway-44 and the Singhu border, as travellers head towards Karnal, Panipat, Sonipat, and Chandigarh.
“Due to Raksha Bandhan coinciding with the weekend, a significant surge in vehicles is expected. Commuters are advised to plan ahead and use alternative routes,” the advisory stated.
Officials also urged people to opt for public transport such as the Delhi Metro to ease pressure on roadways and ensure smoother travel.
The festival rush combined with weekend travel has put additional strain on Delhi’s already busy road network. Authorities hope the use of public transport and alternate routes will help reduce delays and improve safety during the holiday period