Wed Jan 01 16:52:17 UTC 2025: ## Delhi Chokes on New Year’s Day Crowds; Traffic Gridlock and Metro Overcrowding Reported

**New Delhi, January 1, 2024** – Delhi experienced massive traffic congestion and overcrowding on New Year’s Day as large crowds flocked to popular landmarks and religious sites across the city. India Gate, Connaught Place, and numerous temples and gurdwaras, including Bangla Sahib Gurdwara and Akshardham Mandir, saw exceptionally high visitor numbers, leading to significant traffic jams in central Delhi and beyond.

Key areas like Parliament Street, India Gate, Connaught Place, Karawal Nagar, Rithala, and areas around the Burari bypass were severely impacted. The Delhi Traffic Police reported deep potholes and waterlogging exacerbating the situation on Rohtak Road. Social media posts from the police urged drivers to plan their journeys accordingly.

The Delhi Metro also felt the strain, with long queues and overcrowding at stations such as Central Secretariat, Mandi House, and Rajiv Chowk. Commuters reported lengthy waits for tickets and trains.

Visitors to popular sites shared mixed experiences. While some, like Deepali Verma who visited Hanuman Mandir, expressed their joy and spiritual fulfillment, others voiced frustration at the overwhelming crowds. Kajal, visiting Qutub Minar, described waiting over an hour for entry tickets and lamented the diminished excitement due to the lengthy queues. Sayed Ameer, visiting from Hyderabad, recommended booking Qutub Minar tickets online to avoid similar delays.

Delhi’s bustling markets also saw a surge in shoppers. The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) reported exceptionally high foot traffic in areas like Kamla Nagar, Sarojini Nagar, Chandni Chowk, and Connaught Place, with retailers attributing the increased sales to the recent cold snap and demand for winter clothing.

The Delhi Police deployed extra personnel to manage crowds, particularly at India Gate, implementing measures like restricting auto-rickshaw parking to mitigate traffic disruption. Authorities anticipate even larger crowds as the day progresses into the evening.

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