New Delhi: Heavy traffic congestion was reported on key routes leading out of Delhi ahead of the Raksha Bandhan weekend, with the Delhi–Meerut Expressway (NH-24) in Ghaziabad witnessing long tailbacks. Vehicles moving towards Hapur and Meerut were stuck in kilometres-long queues, crawling at a slow pace for hours on Friday night.
Visuals of long traffic jams on highways around Delhi surfaced on the internet, showing long queues of cars moving at a snail's pace making their way on expressways.
Delhi Police Issues Advisory
With the Raksha Bandhan festival coinciding with the weekend this year, Delhi Traffic Police issued a traffic advisory warning of potential heavy congestion on major exit routes from the national capital. The advisory, released on Friday, August 8, cautions that roads leading out of Delhi, particularly National Highway-44 (NH-44) and the Singhu Border, are likely to witness major crowding and long traffic jams.
NH-44 serves as a key link between Delhi and major northern cities including Karnal, Panipat, Sonipat and Chandigarh. Increased vehicular movement is anticipated as people travel to their hometowns to celebrate the festival with family.
Delhi Traffic Police urged travellers to plan their journeys in advance and take precautionary measures to avoid inconvenience. Commuters have been advised to check traffic updates before setting out, choose alternative routes where possible, and start early to reach their destinations on time.
Citizens Advised To Use Public Transport To Avoid Traffic
The department also encouraged citizens to use public transportation options like Delhi Metro to reach their destination. Additionally, motorists are expected to remain patient and cooperative with traffic personnel deployed on the ground.
Authorities are maintaining a close watch on traffic flow and are working in coordination with local administrations to manage the situation. Additional personnel have reportedly been deployed at key choke points to regulate movement and ensure smoother travel.
