Ahead of the Hanuman Jayanti celebrations on Saturday, the Delhi Traffic Police has issued an advisory outlining traffic restrictions and diversions across several parts of the national capital. A large number of devotees are expected to visit the Hanuman Mandir in Jamuna Bazar throughout the day, with multiple religious programmes and processions scheduled in the vicinity, the advisory stated.
Traffic movement is likely to be disrupted on key stretches, including SPM Marg from Hanuman Mandir to Chhatta Rail Chowk, Ring Road from Shanti Van Chowk to ISBT Kashmiri Gate, Outer Ring Road near Salimgarh Bypass, and Netaji Subhash Marg. Diversions may also be imposed at Old Iron Bridge, under Monkey Bridge on Ring Road, Chhatta Rail Chowk, and GPO Chowk, depending on crowd density and the movement of processions, it said.
Traffic Advisory
In view of Hanuman Jayanti celebrations, traffic restrictions and diversions will be in place on 12.04.2025 from 07:00 AM onwards. Key stretches like SPM Marg and Ring Road near ISBT Kashmiri Gate may be affected.
Kindly follow the advisory.#DPTrafficAdvisory pic.twitter.com/bCScXMI4ZE
— Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) April 11, 2025
The advisory urged commuters travelling to Old Delhi Railway Station, ISBT, Red Fort, Chandni Chowk, and Tis Hazari Courts to plan their journeys in advance and brace for possible delays. Use of public transport has been encouraged to reduce road congestion. The traffic police has also requested people to park only in designated parking areas and avoid roadside parking to ensure smooth vehicular movement.
Delhi High Court Says Untoward Incident In Past Can’t Preclude Hanuman Jayanti Procession In Jahangirpuri
In a related development, the Delhi High Court has observed that an untoward incident in the past cannot be the sole ground to deny permission for religious events that are part of prevailing practices. The court made the observation while hearing a plea challenging the Delhi Police’s refusal to grant permission for a Hanuman Jayanti procession in Jahangirpuri on April 12.
Justice Sachin Datta, who was presiding over the matter, noted in the April 9 order: “The authorities may bear in mind that occurrence of an untoward incident in the year 2022, cannot necessarily preclude holding of processions on religious occasions, as per the prevalent practice in the previous years.”
Violent clashes had erupted during a Hanuman Jayanti procession in Jahangirpuri on April 16, 2022, leaving eight police personnel and one civilian injured. Following the incident, police authorities withheld permission for similar processions, citing a volatile and uncertain situation in the area.
The court, however, refrained from interfering with the police’s decision and said it was “not inclined to sit in appeal” over the assessment of law and order by the authorities. It directed senior officials of the Delhi Police to examine the plea and take a timely and appropriate decision on allowing a “limited procession on a new route”.
“It is incumbent on the respondents/police authorities to make adequate security arrangements for the said purpose. Let the matter be suitably examined by the senior officials of the Delhi Police and an appropriate decision be taken and communicated to the petitioner, prior to the date on which the procession is proposed to be held,” the court added.
The petitioner told the court that he had been organising the Hanuman Jayanti procession since 2010, but authorities have denied permission since 2019. He argued that a limited route could be proposed to address the police’s concerns regarding law and order.
The court directed the petitioner to file a fresh application clearly mentioning the proposed route and duration of the procession for April 12.
