Delhi Traffic Police has advised commuters to allow extra travel time on Wednesday as Durga idol immersion is expected to disrupt traffic across parts of south, east, northeast, west and southwest Delhi. The advisory covers routes near temporary immersion ponds and areas where large processions are expected to move from पूजा pandals to designated sites.
In south Delhi, idols from Durga Puja pandals in Chittaranjan Park will be taken to Astha Kunj Park in East of Kailash, Sant Nagar. Traffic movement on the Outer Ring Road, Lal Lajpat Rai Road and Astha Kunj Road may be affected between 9 am and 3 pm, when processions and vehicles are expected to converge near the immersion site.
Traffic pressure is also expected in trans-Yamuna areas, where 11 artificial ponds have been created in east and northeast Delhi. At the pond prepared at the DDA ground in Shastri Park, congestion may affect Shastri Park Chowk and Pushta Road. The arrangements are intended to enable local immersion while reducing pressure on natural water bodies.
Near the artificial pond at the MTNL ground in Yamuna Vihar, commuters may face increased traffic on Wazirabad Road, Bhajanpura Chowk and connecting roads in Yamuna Vihar. The advisory also identifies the routes around Deer Park in Dilshad Garden and the pond at the Tahirpur sports complex as potential congestion points.
Traffic movement on GT Road and the road connecting Dilshad Garden with Tahirpur may be affected as processions reach the immersion facilities. In Shiv Vihar, immersion activity at the municipal corporation ground could lead to congestion on Karawal Nagar Road and adjoining local roads.
The traffic disruption is linked to the conclusion of Durga Puja celebrations. According to the report, idols will be taken through local areas with music and processions before the immersion ceremonies, including the traditional sindoor khela and farewell rituals. Large crowds were reported at puja pandals in Chittaranjan Park, Aram Bagh, Minto Road and Mandir Marg during the celebrations.
The use of temporary ponds near several pandals is part of efforts by Durga Puja committees to support environmentally conscious immersion arrangements. However, the concentration of pedestrians, idol-bearing processions and vehicles around these locations is expected to reduce road capacity during the main movement periods.
The traffic advisory asks residents and vehicle users to plan journeys with additional time, particularly around the identified immersion sites and connecting arterial roads. Commuters travelling through the affected areas should follow on-ground instructions from traffic personnel as processions and immersion activity proceed.
