Delhi traffic restrictions will continue for another 48 hours after the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and other organisations announced a fresh protest over the demand for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, according to a report by Live Hindustan citing the Press Trust of India. Restrictions and diversions will remain concentrated around the New Delhi area, while commuters have been advised to use alternative routes and transport services.
The development follows Saturday’s ‘Jantar Mantar 2.0’ protest, which was contained by heavy police barricading before demonstrators could reach the protest site. The report said there were exchanges between security personnel and protesters, and that more than 7,000 people were detained. Those detained reportedly included CJP founder Abhijit Deepke and four former chief ministers.
With Deepke absent, Anjikya Shinde is leading the movement and has announced another demonstration on Sunday. The continuation of the protest has prompted Delhi Police to extend restrictions in several parts of the capital. Some markets and offices may remain closed on Sunday because it is a holiday, while central Delhi markets including Sadar Bazaar, Chandni Chowk, Connaught Place and Karol Bagh may also be shut.
Emergency medical movement has been exempted from roadblocks and diversions. People travelling by private vehicle to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, Lady Hardinge Hospital or Sucheta Kriplani Hospital in the New Delhi area have been advised to carry treatment-related documents because of the possibility of heavy congestion.
Air travellers from central or eastern Delhi have been advised to use the Airport Express Line rather than travelling by road. Those travelling by private vehicle from central Delhi can use routes through Paharganj, Jhandewalan Metro station, Vandemataram Marg and Dhaula Kuan. Travellers from eastern Delhi can use Mayur Vihar, the DND Flyway, Ring Road, Dhaula Kuan and NH-8 to reach the airport.
For essential road journeys, commuters have been advised to use the Ring Road and Outer Ring Road. Inter-state bus services will continue from Kashmere Gate, Anand Vihar and Sarai Kale Khan bus terminals, although taxis and auto-rickshaws travelling towards central Delhi may be limited. The report also warned that passengers could face surge pricing for some cab and auto services.
The restrictions have also affected rail and metro users. Forty-five metro stations and around 30 roads were closed during Saturday’s protest-related security arrangements. All metro stations were reopened by 10pm on Saturday, while railway services were restored to normal from midnight. Passengers whose trains were cancelled will be eligible for a full refund. Refunds for tickets booked through IRCTC will be credited automatically, while passengers holding counter tickets can claim refunds without cancellation charges at railway reservation counters.
Delhi Police said traffic diversions in the New Delhi area would remain in force on Sunday. The next operational change will depend on the administration’s security arrangements for the announced protest and the continuation of restrictions over the stated 48-hour period.
