Traffic snarls in parts of Delhi due to New Year's Day rush

NEW DELHI: The first evening of the New Year brought back the memories of the same day last year with traffic chaos and overcrowding in and around the Luteyns's Zone on Tuesday.

The heavy rush during evening hours prompted the Delhi Metro administration to shut exits of four Metro stations with close proximity to India Gate.

"As per instructions received from the Delhi Police, exits at four stations -- Central Secretariat, Udyog Bhavan, Mandi House and Pragati Maidan metro stations -- have been blocked with immediate effect due to swelling crowd," a senior DMRC official said. "A huge crowd has assembled at many public places. And, we have shut exits at these four stations, as per police's instructions, to control the outflow of crowd. However, entry of commuters at these four stations are allowed," he added.

In view of heavy rush of people near the India Gate, Delhi Police has also put restrictions on the movement of traffic. According to an estimate, more than one lakh people have gathered around the India Gate.


According to the Delhi Traffic Police, traffic movement has been closed from Regal Cinema towards Baba Kharak Singh Marg and Sansad Marg towards Outer Circle Connaught Place due to large number of pedestrians movement on road.


Traffic is heavy on Mathura Road near National Zoological Park. The zoo entry will be closed at 4pm. The Delhi Police also issued an advisory asking people to not to visit the Delhi zoo after 4pm due to heavy rush.

Traffic police is diverting traffic from Bhairon Road and Lodhi flyover to avoid bunching up.

Limited parking space is available near Connaught Place on first come first serve basis. Unauthorized parked vehicles shall be towed away and prosecuted, as per the traffic police instructions.

( With PTI inputs)