The twin cities of Chandigarh and Panchkula experienced severe traffic paralysis as Diwali shoppers flooded the roads, turning major thoroughfares into parking lots. The festive rush reached its peak over the weekend, leaving commuters stranded for hours.
Traffic Gridlock Grips Key Routes
Major arteries including Madhya Marg, Dakshin Marg, and the road separating Chandigarh and Panchkula witnessed unprecedented congestion. The vehicle volume surged beyond capacity as last-minute shoppers rushed to markets and commercial areas.
Commuters Face Nightmarish Delays
Motorists reported being stuck in traffic for over two hours on normally busy routes. The situation became particularly critical during evening hours when office commuters merged with shopping traffic, creating perfect storm conditions for gridlocks.
Critical Choke Points Identified
- Madhya Marg and Dakshin Marg experienced worst congestion
- Chandigarh-Panchkula border crossing became major bottleneck
- Commercial areas and market complexes saw parking spill onto roads
- Evening peak hours witnessed complete breakdown of traffic flow
Festive Shopping Frenzy Overwhelms Infrastructure
The Diwali shopping rush exposed the limitations of existing road infrastructure in handling peak festival traffic. Despite traffic police efforts, the sheer volume of vehicles overwhelmed management systems.
Local authorities advised alternative routes and staggered shopping hours, but the recommendations went largely unheeded as residents rushed to complete their Diwali preparations.
Long-Term Solutions Needed
The annual Diwali traffic chaos highlights the urgent need for better urban planning and traffic management strategies during festival seasons. Experts suggest implementing dedicated festival traffic corridors and improved public transport options during peak shopping periods.
