Pilgrim rush, slow traffic: Delhi residents navigate daily life
The annual Kanwar Yatra pilgrimage in Delhi has caused significant traffic disruptions and road closures, leading to mixed reactions from residents. While some commuters express frustration over the inconvenience, others emphasize the importance of religious accommodation.
Why it matters
It illustrates the logistical challenges of balancing large-scale religious observances with the daily needs of urban residents in a densely populated city.
For Kanwaljeet, a 34-year-old coaching teacher, crossing the Grand Trunk Road near Dilshad Garden metro station meant a half-kilometre detour. Huge Kanwar camps have come up along the road, while traffic diversions, road closures and restrictions on flyovers have reshaped the movement of motorists and residents.
As thousands of Kanwariyas pass through Delhi, the annual pilgrimage has brought elaborate arrangements and growing inconvenience for those who live and work along its route.
“I am pregnant and walking all the way to the other side to find a rickshaw is a hassle for me,” Ms. Kanwaljeet said.
On Saturday, saffron-clad Kanwariyas of all ages streamed along the Grand Trunk Road, some stopping at camps set up along the route, as CRPF personnel, Delhi Police and traffic police kept watch and diverted citizens and motorists away from the lanes reserved for the pilgrims.
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