Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Raksha Bandhan Traffic Chokes Delhi-Meerut Expressway, Commuters Stranded for Hours
Many people traveled for Raksha Bandhan and went shopping before the festival.
This put many more cars, buses, and people on roads around Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Meerut.
The Delhi-Meerut Expressway became very crowded.
Some journeys that normally took 10 to 15 minutes took 35 to 40 minutes.
Other travelers were stuck for five or six hours.
Police came to manage traffic and provided a helpline number.
Officials suggested alternate roads and the Namo Bharat Train.
Extra train trips were planned to help people reach Meerut more easily.
Festival travel and shopping caused severe congestion across the Delhi-Meerut Expressway and nearby roads.
Traffic reportedly stretched for several kilometres from Noida Sector 62 to Dasna.
Some commuters spent nearly five to six hours in slow-moving traffic.
Ghaziabad Police deployed traffic personnel and issued helpline number 9643322904.
NCRTC scheduled 47 additional Namo Bharat trips to help travelers on August 27 and 28.
- Who
- People traveling from Delhi and Noida, daily commuters, Ghaziabad Police, and NCRTC were involved.
- What
- Heavy Raksha Bandhan-related travel and shopping caused major traffic jams on roads around the Delhi-Meerut corridor.
- When
- The congestion occurred ahead of Raksha Bandhan on August 27; additional train trips were scheduled for August 27 and 28.
- Where
- The worst congestion was reported on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, including between Noida Sector 62 and Dasna, with problems also near Lal Kuan and Chhijarsi.
- Why
- People were traveling to hometowns and relatives’ homes and visiting markets for festival shopping.
Commuters and Travelers
Authorities and Transport Providers
Impact of the congestion
Commuters and Travelers
Travelers reported hours-long delays, crowded roads, and difficulty finding buses or vehicles near Chhijarsi.
Authorities and Transport Providers
Ghaziabad Police said traffic personnel were at Lal Kuan managing the congestion and issued a helpline number.
Ways to avoid the jam
Commuters and Travelers
People traveling to Meerut faced blocked main routes and needed alternate options to reach their destinations.
Authorities and Transport Providers
Authorities recommended connectors before Dasna to reach the Eastern Peripheral Expressway, the old National Highway via Muradnagar and Modinagar, and additional Namo Bharat services.
- Worst-affected route
- Delhi-Meerut Expressway
- Reported traffic stretch
- Noida Sector 62 to Dasna
- Typical versus delayed journey
- A four-kilometre trip took 35-40 minutes instead of the usual 10-15 minutes, according to commuter Pushkar.
- Reported delays
- Some commuters were stuck in slow-moving traffic for nearly 5-6 hours.
- Police helpline
- 9643322904
- Alternative transport
- Namo Bharat Train service between Sarai Kale Khan in Delhi and Modipuram station in Meerut.
- Additional train service
- NCRTC planned 47 extra trips on August 27 and 28, with trains available every eight minutes, according to the article.
