As the national Capital was unlocked on Monday, traffic chaos was witnessed across the city. Since morning, there were long queues of vehicles at several points including ITO, ISBT and Kashmere Gate in the city.
Several people took to Twitter and other social media platforms to share about the traffic situation in the national Capital. They posted many videos and photos where the vehicles were seen crawling in queues on roads. The situation even became worse due to the temperature of Delhi.
Meanwhile, a senior police official said that the traffic movement is smooth. “The volume of traffic has increased compared to other days, but the situation is still under control. The traffic is moving smoothly in most part of the city. The traffic will increase when the employees, who are currently working from their homes, will start going to the offices,” said the senior police official.
“Traffic has slightly increased on Monday. I was visiting hospital during the lockdown as my relative was admitted and undergoing a surgery. Today, the markets are opened due to which people have come out of their homes and the traffic has increased. However, the situation on Delhi roads is still under control, but the traffic will definitely in coming days,” said Anita, a commuter.
Another commuter Dr Gayatri said, “I was travelling from south Delhi to Maulana Azad Medical College in the central part of the national capital. The traffic was higher than the other days when the lockdown was imposed here. It took me around 15 minutes more to reach the hospital.”
The Delhi government also allowed all standalone and neighbourhood shops to function, implying that liquor vends will reopen from Monday when all the new relaxations will come into force in the national capital.
However, establishments like cinemas, theatres, restaurants (except home delivery and take away), bars, gyms, spas, barber shops, salons and beauty parlours will remain closed till further orders. Any shop pertaining to entertainment and amusement services will also remain closed.
Home delivery through e-commerce platforms has also been allowed. According to the Delhi Disaster Management Authority, the ongoing lockdown, which was imposed on April 19, has been extended by one more week (up to June 14).