The much-anticipated visit of football legend Lionel Messi to India's capital turned into a logistical nightmare for daily commuters, as severe traffic congestion brought large parts of central Delhi to a grinding halt. The chaos unfolded on December 15 during the 'Lionel Messi GOAT India Tour – Delhi Leg' event held at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Commuters Face Nightmarish Delays
The traffic snarls began building up well before the event and persisted long after it concluded around 5 pm. The stretch of Ring Road leading to the stadium became a major bottleneck. Fans queuing to enter the venue, combined with vehicles stopping to drop off attendees, completely disrupted the normal flow of traffic.
For many, like 25-year-old Ishmeet, a simple commute turned into an ordeal. Her usual short trip to her office in ITO from the stadium area, a distance of just 1.5 kilometers, took a staggering 25 minutes. She described the scene as overwhelming, with people and vehicles moving at a painfully slow pace. Making a left turn towards Delhi Gate became an exceptionally difficult maneuver for drivers.
Key Roads Paralyzed by Vehicle Surge
The congestion was not limited to the stadium's immediate vicinity. The chaos spilled over onto Jawaharlal Nehru Marg and critical feeder roads including Asaf Ali Road and Netaji Subhash Marg. While most fans had entered the stadium by 3 pm, the problem was far from over.
Vehicles parked along Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg continued to choke the roads, forcing commuters to inch forward at a snail's pace. Despite a significant deployment of traffic police personnel throughout the day to manage the unprecedented surge, the sheer volume of cars and two-wheelers made smooth movement nearly impossible.
Traffic Police Cite Civic Sense as a Factor
A traffic police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, acknowledged the challenges. The officer stated that thousands had gathered for the event and on-road parking was permitted. While traffic was being actively managed, the official also pointed out that a lack of civic sense among some drivers and attendees played a significant role in exacerbating the gridlock.
The frustration of stranded Delhiites quickly spilled onto social media platform X (formerly Twitter). One user posted about the chaotic traffic at ITO near the stadium, while another highlighted the severe jam on Asaf Ali Road leading to Delhi Gate, reflecting the widespread impact of the disruption.
The event, while a dream come true for football fans, served as a stark reminder of the infrastructure and crowd management challenges that accompany mega celebrity visits in a densely populated metropolis like Delhi.
