Gurgaon: A family shopping trip to buy Diwali lights turned into an “ordeal” because of the overcrowded roads, said Chetan Sharma, a commuter, referring to a gridlock leaving an ambulance stuck on Friday. With Dhanteras and Diwali shopping reaching a peak, major markets across the city witnessed massive crowds and traffic chaos, leaving commuters, shoppers and pedestrians struggling to navigate the congested roads.Sadar Bazaar emerged as one of the worst-affected stretches, with bumper-to-bumper traffic bringing vehicular movement to a crawl. Commuters said it was taking them anywhere between 40 minutes and an hour to exit the crowded Sadar Bazaar area. The situation was particularly concerning at Agrasen Chowk, with the ambulance struggling to cross the market area. The incident highlighted how traffic congestion during the festive season can affect not just daily commuters but also emergency services that need uninterrupted access.The heavy footfall was largely driven by shoppers arriving to buy decorative lights, Diwali essentials and other festive items ahead of Dhanteras and Diwali. “It was my mistake to bring my car to the market. I should have taken an auto-rickshaw instead for festive shopping. It took me 45 minutes just to get my car out of the crowded and congested market,” said Manisha Singh, who was struggling to make her way out of Sadar Bazaar.A ground check of the market on Friday revealed how the festive rush had overwhelmed the narrow roads and surrounding stretches. Vehicles were lined up bumper to bumper, with cars and two-wheelers jostling for space. At several points, motorists were seen honking continuously and arguing with fellow commuters in an attempt to find a way out of the congestion.The traffic chaos was not restricted to Sadar Bazaar. Markets along Pataudi Road and in Kadipur also witnessed a significant rush of shoppers. Kadipur, in particular, saw people arriving to buy firecrackers and other festive supplies, adding to the movement of cars and two-wheelers. With vehicles competing for limited road space, traffic movement remained severely affected.Sharma said the congestion and lack of space had made it extremely difficult for them to move around the market, leaving the family harassed rather than enjoying the festive shopping experience.Pedestrians were equally inconvenienced, with people struggling to walk through the congested roads as vehicles occupied much of the available space. Shoppers carrying bags and families visiting the market had to negotiate their way through moving vehicles, leaving little room for safe pedestrian movement. The congestion also raised concerns about the difficulties faced by senior citizens, children and people with mobility issues.At several locations, motorists were seen attempting to squeeze through narrow gaps, while frequent honking and arguments added to the chaos. Traffic police officials said personnel remained deployed at all key locations across the city to manage vehicular movement and regulate traffic during the festive rush.
