A large-scale traffic jam gripped New Friends Colony and surrounding areas on Thursday evening, with officials warning that the chaos could continue into Friday morning. The disruption began after heaps of silt removed during a major drain-cleaning operation were dumped along CV Raman Marg, severely narrowing the arterial road and sparking gridlock across parts of southeast and central Delhi.
According to Delhi Traffic Police officials, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) began clearing the Taimoor Nagar drain early Thursday as part of a high court-mandated cleanup following a recent demolition drive. However, instead of removing the sludge promptly, the debris was left in large mounds along the roadside near the bridge, shrinking a two-lane road to a single, congested strip. The presence of a parked bulldozer added to the bottleneck, further slowing traffic.
Traffic congestion reportedly began around 6–7 pm on Thursday and extended late into the night. The jam caused a ripple effect on surrounding roads, with snarls reported along Mathura Road, Ashram, and other crucial routes connecting southeast Delhi to the central and southern parts of the city. Commuters faced delays of up to 30 minutes during peak hours.
“Due to the debris, we had to shut one side of the road. Traffic from Okhla and New Friends Colony towards South Delhi is badly affected. We’ve alerted MCD and are working on diversions,” said a senior Delhi Traffic Police officer.
A ground report revealed that vehicles were inching through a narrow passage, with buses and trucks worsening the situation. In a desperate attempt to bypass the congestion, several drivers resorted to driving on the wrong side of the road, creating further chaos in nearby lanes.
Shiv Mehra, president of the Maharani Bagh Residents Welfare Association (RWA), acknowledged the need for the cleaning but criticised the poor execution. “The court ordered the drain to be cleared, and the silt takes time to dry before it can be lifted. But the authorities should have planned better to avoid this level of inconvenience,” he said.
The Taimoor Nagar drain, one of 22 recently handed over to the Irrigation and Flood Control Department (I&FC), has long contributed to flooding in colonies like New Friends Colony, Greater Kailash, Maharani Bagh, and Jangpura during the monsoon. Despite repeated attempts, I&FC officials did not respond to media queries regarding the delay in silt removal.
Compounding the issue are illegal parking and encroachments along CV Raman Marg. “Despite repeated warnings, residents continue to park on both sides of the road. That worsens the impact of any disruption,” a traffic police officer added.
With the weekend approaching and no immediate resolution in sight, commuters are advised to avoid the area or plan for delays during peak hours.
Sources By Agencies
