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During the Kanwar Yatra, problems have increased in many areas of Delhi
During the annual Kanwar Yatra in Delhi, a large number of Kanwariyas pass through the city. Crowds and traffic problems on the roads are common due to the Yatra, but this time the problems of the people living around temporary Kanwar camps in many areas are different.
People living near the camps say that for several days, loud music and continuous loudspeakers have made it difficult to sleep at night. According to some local residents, the music played till late night is so loud that even the windows of the houses feel shaking.
Apart from this, daily traffic has also been affected due to increased crowd of vehicles and devotees on the small roads of many localities. For those whose homes are located in close proximity to the camps, this problem is not for a few hours, but has been continuing for several days.
Traffic further worsens the situation, impacting sleep.
During the Kanwar Yatra, traffic diversions and traffic jams occur in various parts of Delhi. Due to this, people may take more time to reach their home, office or market.
But people living near the camps say their problems aren’t limited to the roads. After a day’s commute, it is becoming difficult to relax even at night due to the continued loud music and loudspeaker noise.
This situation is particularly troublesome for some families because the constant noise can affect the daily routines of children, the elderly, and those who go to work early in the morning.
“Even the windows shake,” locals describe the problem.
Some people living near the camps say the loud music is reaching inside their homes. At night, when the general surrounding noise subsides, the noise coming from the camps becomes more noticeable.
The problem for local residents is not just the religious event. Many people say that they respect the pilgrimage and the faith of the devotees, but at the same time they also want the convenience and sleep of the people living nearby to be taken care of.
He says that if the volume of music and loudspeakers is kept within the prescribed limits and time, the situation can improve for both the parties.
Increased congestion on neighborhood streets, disrupting daily commutes
Vehicle traffic and parking have increased in many areas around temporary camps, further straining already narrow local roads.
According to residents, sometimes it is taking them longer than usual to leave or return home. There have been complaints of lack of space for pedestrians and local vehicles as well.
The situation is also two-sided for traders and local shopkeepers. The increased footfall may increase the number of customers at some shops, but on the other hand, regular customers may be affected due to traffic and crowds.
A demand for balance between faith and local convenience
The Kanwar Yatra is a pilgrimage of faith for millions of devotees, and elaborate arrangements are made in Delhi. The challenge for the administration is to provide adequate facilities to the devotees while also maintaining the normal order of the city.
A large part of the complaints of the local people is related to this balance. They are not opposing the yatra or the holding of camps, but want that problems like loud noise, late night noise, road congestion and local traffic should be addressed.
In such events, many problems can be reduced by better coordination between the organizers and the local administration. Clear rules and regulations regarding noise, parking and movement, especially around camps, are essential.
At present, the movement of devotees continues on the streets of Delhi with the Kanwar Yatra. While a large number of people are taking part in the religious pilgrimage, families living around the camps are hoping that their daily lives remain normal and they get a chance to sleep peacefully at night.
