Delhi Faces Severe Traffic Chaos After Heavy Rainfall

Traffic Disruption in Delhi Due to Rain

On Thursday, a night of intense rainfall followed by continuous morning showers caused significant disruption to Delhi's roadways. The city experienced extensive waterlogging, blocked drains, and pothole-ridden roads, leading to severe traffic congestion that slowed down commuter movement across the capital.

Major intersections such as ITO, Old Rohtak Road, the Delhi-Jaipur Highway (NH-8), and Madhuban Chowk were particularly affected, with traffic jams persisting for hours. Shadipur saw especially heavy congestion, with reports of bumper-to-bumper traffic extending into the afternoon, causing delays exceeding one hour in various areas.

In outer Delhi, the route between Nangloi and Najafgarh was completely halted. The Delhi Traffic Police issued a warning on X (formerly Twitter) about disruptions on both sides of Rohtak Road from Nangloi to Mundka due to water accumulation, potholes, and ongoing repairs by the Public Works Department (PWD).

Other regions, including Dhaula Kuan, Rajokri, and Mahipalpur, experienced slow-moving vehicles for long distances. A critical issue arose at the Zakhira Railway Underpass on Road No. 40, where severe waterlogging necessitated traffic diversions, resulting in gridlock.

The police reported that traffic from Shastri Nagar-KD Chowk was redirected towards Chaudhary Nahar Singh Marg and vice versa. One commuter expressed frustration, stating, "People are stuck for over 30 minutes just to cross a kilometre stretch. The situation is extremely bad."

The traffic chaos was felt throughout the city, with areas in South Delhi, including Sarai Kale Khan, the routes to AIIMS and Safdarjung Hospital, and the Ashram region, experiencing significant delays. Commuters from Patparganj, Shalimar Bagh, and Shahdara took to social media to voice their concerns and tagged the Delhi Traffic Police for immediate action.

Rainfall on Wednesday varied greatly, with some areas receiving up to 60mm while others saw only 1.4mm. Despite this inconsistency, the traffic disruptions were widespread.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) reported four complaints each of tree falls and waterlogging between 6 pm and 9 pm on Wednesday.

In response to the public outcry regarding the extensive waterlogging and traffic issues following the heavy rains, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta stated on Thursday that there was no significant waterlogging in the city's traditionally problematic areas.

During the inauguration of the DDA’s Aarambh Pustakalaya in Adhchini Village, Gupta remarked, "Despite the heavy rain, there was no waterlogging this time in traditionally problematic zones such as Minto Road and the ITO junction." She called for officials to maintain this level of preparedness throughout the city.

Recognizing the challenges faced by residents, Gupta mentioned that she had been receiving ongoing updates about traffic issues and delays. She stressed the importance of continuous monitoring and effective coordination among departments to ensure a prompt response to waterlogging incidents.

The Chief Minister also noted that inspections had been conducted in high-risk areas like Minto Bridge and Kushak Drain, assuring that the government is focused on long-term infrastructure improvements. "There are still areas that require enhancement. We are dedicated to providing a better experience next monsoon," she stated.

However, her comments drew sharp criticism from the Opposition.

AAP Delhi chief Saurabh Bharadwaj challenged Gupta’s assertions, stating, "It normally takes me 30 minutes to travel from India Gate to Chirag Delhi. Yesterday, it took 2.5 hours. For the past five months, the CM and ministers have been posing for photos near drains, claiming they’ve been cleaned. The result is plain to see — waterlogging and traffic jams across the city."

Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav echoed similar sentiments, accusing the BJP-led government of being unprepared for the monsoon season.