Traffic at a standstill again as rain hobbles Delhi civic infra

Delhi found itself once again paralyzed by traffic as a brief spell of rain on Wednesday brought the city to a standstill. Just 16mm of rainfall was enough to flood large parts of the Capital, causing a snarl-up on several major roads. The situation was further exacerbated by the arrival of Kanwariyas pilgrims in the city and ongoing construction work on the Modi Mill flyover and Savitri flyover.

These projects, which are expected to drag on for years, have been contributing to chronic traffic issues in Outer Ring Road. The weather agency also predicted more showers for Thursday, suggesting the problem may continue for some time.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that between 8.30am and 5.30pm on Wednesday, Safdarjung station received 15.6mm of rain, while Lodhi Road recorded the highest 38.7mm. These heavy downpours left dents and craters in various parts of the city, while the unstable traffic and civic infrastructure became even more apparent.

PWD officials confirmed that the initial excavation for the Modi Mill project had begun, with an expected completion time of over one-and-a-half years. This could lead to prolonged disruption on one of Delhi's busiest corridors.

Commuters were reporting journeys that normally took 30 minutes to take nearly two hours, with traffic also bringing the city to a complete standstill on Mehrauli-Badarpur Road near Okhla Mor. The Delhi Traffic Police admitted that the disruption was caused by several factors, including the Kanwar Yatra and heavy rains, which were hindering smooth traffic flow.

Social media was filled with videos of stationary traffic and flooded roads, with commuters from various parts of the city expressing their frustration. The Kanwar Yatra is expected to continue until August 11, with barricades set up in various parts of the city for the safe movement of pilgrims.