Kanwar Yatra: Over 350 noise, traffic-related complaints received by Delhi Police in 5 days

New Delhi: With the Kanwar Yatra in full swing, the Delhi Police has received more than 350 calls related to noise and traffic disturbances from various parts of the city over the last five days, officials said on Tuesday.

The number of complaints has seen a surge since Monday with the beginning of "Dak Kanwar", a faster and more intense form of the pilgrimage that witnesses participants running or moving rapidly with holy water collected from the Ganga.

A senior police officer said the Southern Range alone received at least 40 such calls on Monday. In the Central Range, 25 calls related to loud noise and at least 50 complaints regarding traffic congestion were received over the last five days.

"We are witnessing a rise in calls regarding traffic snarls and high-decibel religious processions, especially in areas like ITO, Anand Vihar, Dhaula Kuan, Mehrauli and Outer Ring Road, where Kanwariyas are passing in large numbers," the officer said.

Police said the complaints are mainly due to traffic disruptions caused by Kanwar processions, loud DJ music being played on trucks and trolleys, and groups halting on main carriageways for rest.

To manage the situation, additional personnel have been deployed in sensitive areas and at major traffic intersections. Police pickets, mobile patrol units and traffic police personnel have been tasked with keeping the flow smooth and intervening swiftly in case of disruptions.

The Delhi Traffic Police has also circulated advisories urging commuters to avoid key Kanwar routes and plan their travel accordingly.

The Kanwar Yatra, which started earlier this month, is set to culminate on Wednesday, coinciding with the festival of Sawan Shivratri.

To deal with the rush of Kanwariyas on the eve of Shivratri, the traffic police on Tuesday said restrictions will be imposed on the movement of buses and commercial vehicles in the national capital from 9 am to midnight.

It also issued a traffic advisory, informing people about road closures and alternative routes.

A large number of devotees are expected to visit the Hanuman temple in the Yamuna Bazar area and this could affect traffic.

Congestion is likely along Ring Road, particularly on Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Yudhister Setu and Boulevard Road, the advisory said.

To ensure smooth traffic management and public safety, restrictions will be imposed on the movement of buses and commercial vehicles from 9 am to midnight, it added.

Movement on Yudhister Setu, from Tis Hazari to Shahdara, will be restricted for all buses and commercial vehicles.

On Boulevard Road, the movement of commercial vehicles will not be allowed from ISBT Kashmiri Gate towards Tis Hazari. Their movement will also be prohibited on Lothian Road, from GPO Chowk to ISBT Kashmiri Gate, during the specified hours, the advisory said.

To regulate the flow of traffic, diversions will be put in place at key locations, including Kashmiri Gate metro station's gate no. 5 on Boulevard Road near the ascending foot of Yudhister Setu, near the out gate of ISBT Kashmiri Gate on Ring Road and at GPO Chowk, it said.

These diversions are intended to redirect commercial vehicles away from heavily-congested areas and towards alternative routes, it added.

The traffic police said commercial vehicles coming from the Hanuman temple side via Ring Road and headed towards Tis Hazari will be diverted from the out gate of ISBT Kashmiri Gate.

These vehicles will take a longer route via Ring Road, Yamuna Marg, Raj Niwas Marg, Rajpur Road, Dr Karnwal Road and reach Baraf Khana Chowk, from where they can continue towards their destinations, they said.

Buses and commercial vehicles coming from the Tis Hazari side and moving towards Yudhister Setu will also be rerouted, the advisory said.

They will be diverted from Kashmiri Gate metro station's gate no. 5 and redirected to Ring Road, from where they will take a left turn, make a U-turn near the monastery and continue on Ring Road past the Hanuman temple. From there, they will proceed towards Outer Ring Road, the Akshardham temple and then National Highway 24, the advisory said.