A street vendor holds up artificial flowers for sale ahead of the Hindu festival Diwali. (Agence France-Presse)
Traffic flow remained heavy on almost all arterial roads in the national capital on Tuesday as shoppers thronged popular bazaars to celebrate Dhanteras.
Although commuters complained of snarls in various parts of the city, Delhi Traffic Police claimed that vehicular movement was reported to have been heavy in various parts of the city but they did not receive any calls of any major traffic jams.
"Traffic remained heavy on NH 8, Akshardham, Lajpat Nagar, South Extension, Sadar Bazaar and around other key market places in the city but there were no call of any traffic jam from anywhere," said an official of the traffic control room.
Police also said that as they had deployed extra manpower on roads leading to markets in south and central Delhi, the traffic situation remained somewhat under control.
However, commuters had a different story to tell.
"There were traffic snarls in various parts of the city.
In the evening, it took me at least half an hour to cross the Connaught Place circle," said Dhananjay Ghosh, a private bank employee.
Dhanteras is considered to be an auspicious day for buying gold, silver and other valuables. It is largely celebrated in north and west India.