New Year's Eve celebrations in Noida turned into a logistical nightmare for countless commuters as police barricades and severe vehicle restrictions around the bustling Sector 18 market and DLF Mall of India left many stranded for hours. The heavy footfall anticipated for the festivities resulted in a complete clampdown on vehicle movement, leading to widespread inconvenience and heated arguments.
Complete Lockdown and Stranded Commuters
The traffic police, anticipating massive crowds, implemented strict measures that effectively sealed off key areas. Barricades were placed at all major entry and exit points, including near the Sector 18 metro station and the Gurudwara, bringing vehicular movement to a standstill. A traffic constable stationed at one barricade stated he was simply following orders to restrict both entry and exit.
The situation caused significant distress. Suresh Kumar, a goods truck driver, was prevented from making a delivery in Sector 18. "My employer will question me for not delivering the goods, but the fact is that the cops are not allowing entry," he explained. In another troubling incident, Sunita, a resident of Sector 44, found herself trapped in the market while feeling unwell. "The cops have blocked all the entry and exit points and I am stuck. I need to exit," she pleaded. Police temporarily removed barricades to let her pass, an action that triggered a heated argument with other visitors.
Parking Full, Advisory Ignored?
The congestion was compounded by packed parking facilities. The DLP parking at DLF Mall of India was reported full by 4 PM, forcing staff to direct visitors to the multilevel parking in Sector 18. Parking staff from the mall were deployed outside to manage the influx.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Pravin Ranjan Singh confirmed that an advisory had been issued anticipating the New Year's Eve traffic pressure. "Accordingly, we have placed barricades to restrict the movement of vehicles at some locations. Traffic police personnel have been deployed to manage traffic," he said. However, SK Jain, President of the Sector 18 Market Association, criticized the lack of coordination, noting that in previous years, police held meetings with the association before such events. "This year there was no meeting. The barricades will create confusion... People exiting the market should not be stopped," he argued.
Widespread Evening Gridlock
The traffic pressure was not confined to Sector 18 alone. Significant jams were reported under the Film City Flyover and near popular malls like GIP Mall and Gardens Galleria in the evening. The ripple effect was felt in Greater Noida as well, where resident Amarjeet Rathore reported heavy traffic pressure at Gaur Chowk due to nearby malls and markets. He confirmed, however, that traffic cops were deployed to manage the situation there.
The evening's events highlighted the perennial challenge of balancing festive crowd management with the smooth movement of commuters, raising questions about the planning and communication behind such restrictive measures.
