Heavy Morning Rainfall Cripples Delhi’s Transport Network
A spell of heavy rainfall on Thursday morning threw Delhi’s transport system into disarray, causing widespread traffic congestion and delaying more than 350 flights at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. Commuters across the National Capital Region (NCR) faced hours-long gridlocks, with waterlogging and jammed intersections bringing key arterial roads to a standstill.
The downpour, which began early morning, led to massive queues of vehicles on major stretches connecting to the airport, preventing both passengers and airline crew from reaching on time. Even hours after the rain stopped, traffic bottlenecks persisted, severely impacting travel plans for thousands.
Delhi Airport Urges Metro Travel to Avoid Delays
The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) issued a public advisory on social media platform X, urging passengers to opt for the Delhi Metro instead of road transport. “Heavy rainfall and waterlogging across the Delhi-NCR since morning led to traffic jams on roads to and from the Delhi airport. Our on-ground teams are working diligently with all stakeholders to ensure a smooth journey for passengers,” the statement read.
The Metro’s Magenta Line provides connectivity to Terminal 1, while the Airport Express Line (Orange Line) links directly to Terminal 3. Despite the advisories, many travelers who chose road travel found themselves stuck for hours.
Flight Operations Hit, Average Delay Over 30 Minutes
According to flight tracking website FlightRadar24, by 6 pm, at least 377 flights had been delayed, with an average delay time of around 32 minutes. While most delays were attributed to the weather, one Delhi-to-Bagdogra flight was held back after a crew member got caught in traffic. The flight eventually departed later in the evening once the staff member arrived.
An airline official clarified, “A flight crew member got stuck in traffic. This was the only instance of a delay due to staff. All other delays were primarily caused by weather conditions and congestion on approach.”
Passenger Frustration Spills Over on Social Media
Social media platforms were flooded with accounts from irate passengers who missed their flights or arrived hours late due to gridlocked roads. One traveler, Arun, posted on X that it took him three hours to cover just 2 km near the airport. “3 hours for 2 km at Delhi Airport. Missed my domestic flight. @DelhiPolice — this isn’t traffic management, it’s a masterclass in incompetence,” he wrote.
Another commuter, Dheeraj Gaur, described his ordeal of traveling 6.5 km in 1.5 hours to reach his office. “The entire Thimayya Marg in the Delhi Cantonment area and the traffic signal outside Airforce Station Palam is choked. People are walking with luggage in hand to reach the airport on time,” he posted around 11:30 am.
Chaos at Key Intersections and Road Stretches
Many major stretches, including Palam Airport Road, saw complete standstills, with frustrated travelers abandoning vehicles and walking with their bags. A commuter stuck near the Krishan temple reported being stranded for two hours without seeing any traffic police personnel on-site. “It’s total chaos here — vehicles are moving left, right and centre. One person was driving on the wrong side, too,” the passenger shared around 1:04 pm.
Experts Warn of Repeat Disruptions Without Infrastructure Upgrade
Urban transport experts warn that similar disruptions will continue unless Delhi’s drainage, traffic management, and alternative transport infrastructure are strengthened. Sudden downpours during peak travel hours, coupled with inadequate traffic diversion planning, often lead to cascading delays across both road and air travel systems.
With monsoon conditions expected to persist, authorities may need to coordinate better between traffic police, civic bodies, and airport operators to ensure passenger movement is not paralyzed during adverse weather.
