The spirit of sibling devotion took center stage today as the state’s transport infrastructure faced its annual “litmus test.” Bhai Dooj, also known as Yama Dwitiya, transformed bus stands and railway stations into seas of festive attire.
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Transport Surge: Haryana Roadways General Managers confirmed the deployment of over 200 additional special buses. Despite this, the rush at the Ballabhgarh (Faridabad) and Gurugram ISBTs was so intense that many passengers had to wait for multiple rotations to find a seat.
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Railways Under Pressure: Short-distance trains on the Delhi-Rohtak and Delhi-Ambala routes reported “super-crush” loads. Special RPF teams were deployed at major junctions to manage the crowds on the platforms and ensure the safety of women travelers.
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Regional Rituals: In Haryana, the festival features a unique tradition where sisters use a dry coconut (gola) tied with sacred kalewa (red thread) during the aarti. Sweet shops reported that Ghevar and Kaju Katli were the day’s top sellers, with many outlets running out of stock by noon.
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The Muhurat Rush: Astrologers noted that the Aparahna (afternoon) timing was particularly strictly followed this year. This led to a concentrated spike in traffic between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM as thousands raced to reach their destinations before the auspicious window closed.
Community Sentiment
“I started from Rohtak at 9:00 AM to reach my brother in Gurugram. The bus was so crowded I had to stand for half the journey, but it’s worth it. This one day is more important than all the convenience in the world,” said Sunita Devi, a commuter at the Rajiv Chowk interchange.
