India, Aug. 3 -- Noise pollution, choked roads, and traffic diversions marked the start of the annual Kanwar Yatra in the Capital, which serves as a thoroughfare on their way to and back from the Ganges.

Residents complain of late-night processions blaring music through loudspeakers and boom boxes beyond permissible limits, rattling homes and raising health concerns, further alleging little police intervention despite the blatant violation of a raft of norms.

The processions mainly enter Delhi through the borders with Ghaziabad and Noida, passing through arterial roads such as the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, National Highway-9, Mathura Road, Outer Ring Road, Aurobindo Marg, and Mehrauli-Gurugram Road.

Among the worst affected are resident...