Chhath celebrations: Devotees pray to the rising sun across India

New Delhi :Traffic snarls were reported in several parts of the national capital amidst Chhath festival today even as Delhi Traffic Police used a helicopter to monitor and regulate vehicular flow in and around the ghats here that were witness to huge gatherings of people.

During the day, heavy traffic was reported between New Vinod Nagar and Akshardham Temple, Dwarka and Dabri Mor and from Munirka to Rao Tula Ram Marg followed by the Palam flyover.

Also, stretches between Jharera village and Dhaula Kuan on NH8 and Outer Ring Road and the routes from Kalkaji to Modi Mill and from Hauz Khas to Savitri Cinema saw heavy movement of vehicles, said a traffic official.

In the afternoon, traffic was heavy from Baba Kharak Singh Margh to Connaught Place and from Indraprashtha Park towards Akshardham Temple.

In the evening, severe traffic snarls were reported between Naoroji Nagar and South Extension on Ring Road and the Barapullah elevated road towards Sarai Kale Khan, followed by a chock-a-block situation between Ashram and DND flyway, said the official.

Later on, long tailbacks were reported near ITO, Mandi House and Delhi Secretariat, the official added.

Delhi Police had issued an advisory asking people to avoid all approach roads towards ghats in the city where many were expected to gather to offer prayers on the occasion of Chhath Puja today and tomorrow.

Police also used a helicopter—for the third time, after Durga Puja immersions and Diwali eve—to monitor and regulate traffic in the trans-Yamuna region and around canal banks in the city, police added.

PTI