Delhi chokes on Kanwar chaos: 200+ complaints lodged over loud music, traffic violations

Kanwar Yatra

The ongoing Kanwar Yatra in Delhi has triggered widespread disruption, with residents across several districts lodging over 200 complaints with the police about excessive noise, traffic violations and sleepless nights, according to an HT report.

Pilgrims traversing South, South East, East and South West Delhi with trucks fitted with booming sound systems have left locals frustrated, particularly in areas like New Friends Colony, Maharani Bagh and Ashram. Delhi Police confirmed the complaints, largely centred on noise and traffic, have poured in since Friday, with some areas reporting around 10 grievances daily.

Chitra Jain, president of the New Friends Colony Residents’ Welfare Association (RWA), was cited by HT as saying that the relentless noise was unbearable. “Students who are studying get disturbed and it’s a big problem for senior citizens. There is also a lot of vibration, which is an annoyance,” she said, clarifying that while she respected religious sentiment, the unchecked volume was untenable.

Similar frustrations echoed in Greater Kailash-II, where RWA president Sanjay Rana described late-night chaos. “I was returning from the airport around 2.30 am during the weekend when I saw multiple trucks playing very loud music,” he said, adding that pilgrims often strayed into colony lanes, worsening congestion.

In Jangpura, one resident claimed elderly family members were unable to sleep, while a Patparganj local alleged noise levels exceeded 80 decibels, calling it “harassment” despite religious respect.

Delhi Police reiterated to HT that law and order teams are in place across districts, with approximately 200 officers deployed in each shift and round-the-clock vigilance at at least 21 Kanwar camps.

Deputy commissioner of police (southeast) Hemant Tiwari said the number of grievances remains consistent with previous years and authorities are attempting to manage the situation. “We have made dedicated corridors and have an average of 200 staff deployed in three shifts,” he was cited by HT.

In East Delhi, the situation is similar. Pilgrims marching over major highways and arterial roads have led to distress and health scares among vulnerable populations. Delhi Police officials informed that over 1,000 personnel are on patrol in East Delhi, acting on complaints by persuading pilgrims to dial down sound systems and, in some cases, disconnecting wiring to enforce compliance.

East Delhi’s DCP Abhishek Dhania reported fewer recent complaints but acknowledged proactive steps. “We talk to pilgrims and ask them to lower the volume… In other cases, we also remove the wiring of the sound system,” he was quoted by HT as saying.