India, Aug. 10 -- As Delhi prepares for the peak days of the annual Kanwar Yatra, residents living along the designated pilgrimage corridors say the festivities have already begun affecting their daily lives, with long traffic jams, blaring music from procession vehicles and mounting garbage becoming common in several neighbourhoods. The first large groups of Kanwariyas entered the Capital over the weekend, while the heaviest movement is expected between August 9 and 11. To ensure smooth conduct of the yatra, authorities have deployed over 15,000 police personnel and nearly 2,000 traffic officials across the city. However, people residing along the routes say civic inconvenience has increased significantly in the past few days. Also Read - Govt to make Delhi child-beggar-free: CM Eight major Kanwar routes pass through busy stretches such as Ring Road, Mathura Road, Wazirabad Road, GT Road, Rohtak Road and Najafgarh Road, disrupting regular traffic movement. From August 9 to August 12, the GT Road stretch between Apsara Border and Yamuna Bridge will remain closed to general traffic, with commuters advised to use alternate routes. Residents say the diversions have lengthened travel time, affecting office-goers, students and those dependent on public transport. "Even a short journey now takes almost twice as long. Traffic remains at a standstill whenever a convoy of Kanwariyas passes, and reaching work on time has become extremely difficult," said Ritu Sharma, a resident of Inderlok. Also Read - CM: Next-gen lawyers to strengthen justice tradition A resident of New Friends Colony, Aditya Verma, said roads leading to South Delhi witness severe bottlenecks during the evening hours. "Ambulances, school buses and office traffic all get caught in the same congestion. We respect the pilgrimage, but better traffic management is necessary so that ordinary commuters are not stranded for hours," he said. Apart from congestion, residents have raised concerns over loud music played from heavily decorated trucks carrying pilgrims. Many of these vehicles are fitted with oversized speakers that continue playing devotional songs at high volume even when stationary. Also Read - Delhi L-G asks govt to rotate long-serving officials According to a recent news report by Hindustan Times, recorded noise levels exceeded the CPCB's 55-decibel residential daytime limit, despite laws capping loudspeakers at 75 decibels and restricting their use under noise and motor vehicle regulations. "The sound is so intense that windows and doors keep vibrating. The noise continues late into the night, making it impossible for children, elderly people and patients to rest," said Sana Ali, who lives near Govind Puri. Residents of Okhla also claimed that repeated complaints about excessive noise have yielded little relief. "We have contacted the authorities several times, but the loud music continues every night. Devotion should not come at the cost of disturbing entire neighbourhoods," said Sarita Singh, a local resident. Also Read - Sirsa warns of legal action after AAP alleges Rs 22,000 crore rice scam plan Another concern emerging from areas hosting Kanwar camps is the growing accumulation of waste. Residents of Govind Puri and Okhla said disposable plates, plastic bottles, food packaging and other litter often remain scattered around pandals after meals are served. "Community kitchens are feeding thousands of devotees, which is commendable, but the waste generated is enormous. Garbage piles up on roadsides and vacant plots if it is not cleared promptly, creating foul smells and attracting stray animals," said Meena Gupta, a resident of Govind Puri. People living near several camps also pointed to overflowing dustbins and blocked drains, urging civic agencies to increase the frequency of waste collection during the yatra. Delhi Police said personnel have intervened in some cases by asking drivers to lower the volume of their sound systems, though no formal cases have been registered so far. The Delhi Traffic Police has established 306 traffic regulation points and made arrangements around 308 Kanwar camps across the city. Around 644 traffic personnel have been deployed in East Delhi alone, where a large number of pilgrims are entering from Uttar Pradesh. Traffic officials said personnel have been instructed to regulate vehicle movement and guide commuters towards alternative routes wherever required. On Saturday, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited a Kanwar Seva Camp near the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border at Dilshad Garden to review arrangements for food, drinking water, sanitation and medical assistance. With the yatra expected to witness its highest footfall over the coming days, residents say they hope authorities strike a balance between facilitating the religious event and addressing concerns related to traffic, noise pollution and sanitation so that daily life in the city remains manageable.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.