The Delhi Traffic Police has issued a critical advisory forecasting severe traffic disruptions across the national capital on the eve of the New Year 2026. The convergence of Ekadashi festivities on January 1, 2026, and New Year celebrations is expected to draw massive crowds to the Khatu Shyam Delhi Dham Mandir, leading to significant pressure on the road network, particularly the crucial NH-44 corridor.
NH-44 Identified as Major Bottleneck
Authorities have pinpointed the stretch of NH-44 between Singhu Border and Mukarba Crossing as the zone likely to witness the worst congestion. This vital arterial route, a primary entry and exit point for the city, is anticipated to experience extremely slow movement as thousands of devotees in private vehicles, commercial transport, and on foot head towards the temple. The traffic spillover is also expected to affect service roads and internal lanes adjoining NH-44.
Officials have explicitly advised commuters to avoid this stretch entirely during the advisory period of December 31, 2025, and January 1, 2026. The intense situation is predicted to last throughout New Year's Day itself.
Diversions and Alternate Routes Recommended
To manage the anticipated chaos, the traffic police are prepared to implement diversions, especially for commercial vehicles. Key points identified for these diversions include Singhu Border, Bakoli on Urban Extension Road II (UER II), and Bakoli Village Cut.
For general commuters navigating north Delhi, transport experts strongly recommend using alternative routes to save time. The advised alternate pathways are:
- Urban Extension Road II (UER-II)
- Palla-Bakhtawarpur Road
Planning journeys in advance using these routes is crucial to avoid being stuck in long delays.
Advisory for Devotees and the Public
The Delhi Traffic Police has appealed directly to the public for cooperation. Devotees visiting the Khatu Shyam Delhi Dham Mandir are strongly urged to use public transport to reduce vehicular pressure. A strict warning has been issued against parking vehicles on the roads leading to the temple or along NH-44, as improper parking will exacerbate jams and invite penalties from traffic enforcement teams.
Public adherence to on-ground instructions from traffic personnel is deemed essential for maintaining any semblance of smooth traffic flow. The success of managing this dual-event rush hinges significantly on collective public responsibility.
Commuters are advised to stay informed through real-time updates from the official social media handles of the Delhi Traffic Police on platform X, as the situation will be closely monitored and further measures may be deployed dynamically.
