- By Akansha Pandey
- Tue, 14 Oct 2025 06:00 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Gandhi Nagar Market is overflowing with shoppers ahead of Diwali, drawing large crowds from across the NCR. However, the shopping experience is being marred by severe traffic congestion on Pushta Road, where a journey that should take five minutes is now lasting between 45 minutes and an hour.
The primary causes behind this gridlock are illegal parking, large rolls of fabric left on the roadside, and rickshaws driving in the wrong direction. While traffic police are present on the road, their focus appears to be on issuing fines rather than clearing the jam, a stance that has angered both shoppers and local traders.
The traffic jam stretches from the Kailash Nagar traffic signal to the Geeta Colony cremation ground on Pushta Road. Gandhi Nagar, one of Asia's largest textile markets, is situated along this route. With Diwali approaching, a surge in vehicles from the NCR is exacerbating the problem, wasting shoppers' valuable time.
Adding to the chaos, rickshaw pullers are often seen driving their loaded vehicles against the flow of traffic, causing accidents and trapping vehicles coming from the Shastri Park side. Furthermore, large rolls of fabric are frequently loaded and unloaded directly on the road, further obstructing traffic.
People stuck in the traffic allege that the police have made no special arrangements for the festive season. "The traffic police keep issuing fines. They should at least take action against those who park their vehicles haphazardly," one commuter noted.
In response, police officials state that fines are being issued against vehicles moving in the wrong direction and that cranes are being used to tow illegally parked vehicles.
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Traders Express Frustration
Local business associations have criticized the lack of planning by the authorities.
Sanjay Jain, Vice President of the Readymade Garments Merchant Association, criticised the traffic police for their lack of preparation, saying, "It's the festive season. The police know that a large number of shoppers will come to the market. The traffic police have made no such arrangements. They should stop vehicles from coming in the wrong direction and prevent illegal parking."
Praveen Gupta, President of the Subhash Road Bada Bazaar Association, blamed a parking contractor for worsening the situation on Pushta Road. "The contractor forces vehicles to park outside the designated area and does not even issue a permit," Gupta said. "Vehicle owners park their vehicles randomly on the road."