Traffic snarls, metro rush on Rakhi; Kejriwal greets people

NEW DELHI: The city was today buzzing with Raksha Bandhan festivities as residents ventured out in large numbers to meet family and friends and thronged the bustling markets, leaving the traffic in knots with the metro too seeing a record footfall.

Outer Ring Road, its major arteries and areas such as Vikaspuri, Uttamnagar in west Delhi, Wazirabad in the north, Badarpur and Nehru place in the South and Dilshad Garden, Seemapuri in East saw traffic snarls.

The Delhi Metro daily ridership touched a new high of 31.75 lakh yesterday, on the eve of the festivities, while commuters poured in large numbers throughout the day as well.

Authorities took extra measures for the festival that celebrates the sibling bond.

Additional DTC buses and increased metro trips had been arranged for the day.

Free travel for women in non-AC DTC and orange cluster buses acted as a sweetener for many.

Metro had earlier announced its decision to run about 210 extra train trips over August 28 and August 29, to tackle the rush that the network sees every year on this occasion.

Transport Minister Gopal Rai had instructed DTC to ensure free ride for women on buses between 8 AM and 10 PM on the occasion of the festival.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal greeted people before leaving for Haridwar to celebrate with his sister.

"Greetings on Raksha Bandhan. I pray for the safety of every sister. Going to Haridwar at my younger sister's place to get rakhi tied," Kejriwal tweeted.

The occasion was used by a few to make political points. A BJP leader gifted onions, whose prices have been high off late, to women who tied him the sacred thread.