35,000 couples to tie the knot in Delhi on auspicious day

New Delhi, Dec 13 (UNI) With about 35,000 marriages being solemnised tonight, all roads in the Capital were leading to marriage pandals at farmhouses and hotels.

Traffic snarls were the order of the day as utter chaos prevailed on Delhi roads.

The next auspicious day for marriages falls in January.

The traffic police anticipate little room on roads for the vehicles to maneuver. They have advised the people not to stay outdoors till late at night.

Delhi has fewer places to host marriage ceremonies. Delhi Urban Development and Public Works Department Minister A K Walia shot off a letter to DDA Vice-Chairman Dinesh Rai yesterday, expressing anguish over utter lack of suitable places to host marriages and social functions.

''Finding a suitable place is, indeed, a herculean task these days,'' Dr Walia said.

There is a rush for major hotels, banquet halls and roadside pandals. The search has even taken many people to the neighbouring states. It has afforded decorators another opportunity to rake in money. Many photographers, caterers, DJs and decorators say they have to do multiple shifts to honour the commitments.

The pundits seemed to have prepared themselves for hopping and criss-crossing the city holding holy scriptures in one hand and list of appointments in another.

According to the police, there may be a swarm of people at the farmhouses in Mehrauli and Vasant Kunj. The vicinity has narrow roads. Even a small number of people will throw life here out of gear.

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