Central Delhi faced widespread traffic disruption on Saturday after police imposed barricades, vehicle checks and route restrictions around Jantar Mantar and other areas where the Cockroach Janta Party and other groups were protesting against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. More than 70 roadblock markers appeared on Google Maps by 11.30 am, highlighting congestion across key central Delhi corridors.
Traffic restrictions came into force from 6 am, with police security arrangements slowing vehicles on routes around Connaught Place, Janpath, Barakhamba Road, Ashoka Road and Sansad Marg. Congestion was also reported on roads connecting the protest zone with India Gate and the Central Secretariat. Vehicles moved slowly through several stretches, while traffic remained relatively lighter on some other roads.
The disruption was concentrated around routes leading to Jantar Mantar, where barricades and checks affected the movement of commuters and vehicles. The traffic pattern shown on Google Maps indicated long stretches of slow-moving traffic across central Delhi rather than congestion limited to a single junction or road.
The restrictions also affected public transport access. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation had announced the closure of entry and exit gates at 57 stations from 9 pm on Friday until the situation returned to normal. The stations remained part of the security arrangements linked to the protest and the wider law-and-order assessment.
Mobile internet services were suspended for 24 hours in parts of central Delhi from 10 pm on Friday. The suspension was imposed alongside the restrictions on roads and metro station access, adding another disruption for commuters and residents relying on mobile connectivity for navigation, transport coordination and other daily activities.
The affected roads serve major commercial, administrative and public destinations in central Delhi. Connaught Place and Janpath are among the city’s busiest central areas, while Sansad Marg, Ashoka Road and the Central Secretariat corridor connect important government and institutional locations. Restrictions on these routes can therefore affect through-traffic as well as people travelling to offices, markets and public facilities in the area.
The Delhi Traffic Police said the restrictions would be reviewed on the basis of real-time assessments. According to the report, the measures could be relaxed or tightened depending on the law-and-order situation. The continuation of barricades, route checks, metro access restrictions and mobile internet suspension will depend on those subsequent assessments.
