Chandigarh, Nov. 7 -- Heavy traffic congestion was reported across the city on Friday as shoppers thronged markets to buy gold and other metals on Dhanteras.

Markets in Sectors 19, 22, 35 and 36 were among the worst hit while traffic crawled along Madhya Marg, Dakshin Marg and the roads leading to Zirakpur. The situation worsened in the afternoon during school closure hours. Evening congestion was also reported near Sectors 17, 19 and 22 as office-goers joined the festive rush.

Despite the deployment of traffic personnel at major intersections across the city, commuters faced long delays. A Sector 48 resident, Jasbir, said it took him more than an hour to cross the stretch between Ram Darbar and Hallomajra while travelling from Zirakpur...