India, Nov. 7 -- Roads across the Capital reeled from the relentless heavy traffic movement since the early hours of Friday, as shoppers stepped up purchases for Dhanteras and Diwali, causing massive gridlocks on key roads leading to markets and commercial areas.

Increased traffic amid the festive season over the past week, deployment of pollution-control vehicles-mechanised sweepers and mist sprinklers-and vehicular breakdowns spelled longer commute times across Delhi's southern, central and northern corridors.

"The situation becomes challenging in areas where market roads are narrow and the authorised parking spaces are either far away or already packed. As a result, people park their vehicles at unauthorised parking spaces. The roads...