Massive traffic jams were reported from various parts of the national capital as people came out in hundreds to celebrate the New Year eve.
There was a gathering of more than one lakh pedestrians and heavy volume of motorists near the India Gate, it resulted in the nearby roads being jam-packed.
Reportedly, more than 100,000 people had gathered at Delhi’s iconic India Gate. Delhi Police issued a statement following the massive traffic jam which said that the traffic will remain very heavy near India Gate due to a gathering of the heavy volume of motorists and more than 1 lakh pedestrians. People have gathered at this central location as New Year eve is a holiday and to celebrate with their family in a wide-open area. India Gate is the most popular spot for the people of Delhi to spend the New Year’s Day with friends and family.
Delhi Traffic Police in its statement also said that no parking was available around India Gate. The Police advised people to avoid India Gate and take an alternate route. And it was not just India Gate but people in most parts of the South Delhi were reportedly stuck in huge traffic jam. Roads leading to Barapulla & DND (Delhi Noida Direct Flyway), Lajpat Nagar, Ashram to Sarai Kale Khan were among the most affected. Mandi House in Central Delhi showed huge traffic jam. The Delhi Traffic police were panned on Twitter for mismanagement.
People flooded social media with photos of the jam questioning how Delhi police could have given permission for celebrations on a weekday.
India Gate, a popular spot is a memorial to 70,000 soldiers of the Indian Army who died in the period 1914–21 in the First World War. It is a popular spot for tourists as well. Even an ambulance was seen stuck in the traffic jam near Delhi’s Mandi House circle. Reports of a massive traffic jam at Tilak Marg have also come in.
The flame of the immortal soldier, commonly known as Amar Jawan Jyoti is one of the major highlights at the India Gate. The structure consists of black marble plinth and reversed rifle and war helmet. It was erected under the India Gate in the wake Liberation of Bangladesh in December 1971 to commemorate Indian soldiers killed in the defense of their country.
The heart of Delhi became an impenetrable maze of traffic with more than 2.5 lakh travelers descended en mass on India Gate. The war memorial is a part of the ceremonial axis that stretches from Raisina Hill. The police later said the figure was seven times of what was expected.
To honor our soldiers, construction of a National War Memorial at India Gate will begin from mid-November. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the memorial next year in November. The National War Memorial will be built to honor over 22,600 soldiers who sacrificed their lives in various wars against Pakistan and China since Independence.
