Ahead of the Chehlum procession in Delhi on Thursday, the Delhi Police has issued a traffic advisory. They are encouraging people to utilise the metro system due to the religious event, with the Shia Muslim community observing Chehlum, a significant day marking the 40th day after Muharram and commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Hazrat Mohammad.
The main Chehlum procession, featuring Tazia and Alam, commenced from Pahari Bhojla on Wednesday at 8.30 am due to the G20 Summit.
It will follow a route passing through various landmarks in north Delhi before reaching Karbala in Lodhi Colony for burial. This gathering is expected to host around 20,000 to 25,000 attendees, including VIPs such as diplomats and ambassadors from Gulf countries.
The ‘Anjuman-e-Haideri’ will organise a Majlis of local Shia Muslims at Dargah Shah-e-Mardan, Jor Bagh, at 4 pm on Thursday, followed by a public meeting to observe Chehlum as an ‘anti-terrorism day’ at the same location around 7 pm. After the meeting, Shia cleric Maulana Kalbe Jawad will deliver a religious discourse.
To ensure smooth traffic management during this event, traffic will be regulated on various roads in the city. Traffic diversions will be in place, and some bus services may be affected depending on the procession’s movement. Passengers heading to New Delhi Railway Station on Wednesday afternoon are advised to leave early.
Police recommend approaching New Delhi Railway Station via alternative routes and using Metro services, particularly on affected routes. This advisory comes after a previous incident on July 29, where clashes erupted during Muharram processions in west Delhi’s Nangloi, resulting in injuries and damage to vehicles. (With inputs from PTI)
