A Delhi traffic advisory has warned commuters of possible congestion and diversions around Connaught Place and central Delhi after 3 pm on Friday, October 16, as the Cockroach Janata Party plans a ‘Tiranga March’ from Central Park. The Delhi Traffic Police has advised travellers to plan their journeys in advance, allow extra time and use public transport wherever possible.
The march is scheduled to take place at Central Park in Connaught Place. According to the traffic advisory reported by Live Hindustan – NCR, traffic movement may be affected on several roads in and around the city’s central administrative and commercial district. Diversions may also be introduced depending on the situation at the venue and along the march route.
The roads identified as potentially affected include Parliament Street, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Marg, Panchkuian Road, Basant Lane, Chelmsford Road, Minto Road, Barakhamba Road, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, Tilak Marg, Sikandra Road, Janpath, Rail Bhawan, Rafi Marg, C-Hexagon, Mandi House, Patel Chowk, Windsor Place, Gol Dak Khana, Ashoka Road between GPO and C-Hexagon, and Tolstoy Marg.
The traffic police has asked commuters to check their routes before leaving and to avoid relying on private vehicles if alternative public transport is available. Motorists have also been instructed not to park vehicles along the roads and to follow directions issued by traffic personnel deployed at the affected locations.
Security arrangements have been strengthened around Jantar Mantar and Connaught Place in view of the march. The report said a large police presence has been deployed, with several contingents of paramilitary personnel positioned in the area to monitor the situation and support public safety measures.
The march follows the arrest of CJP co-conveners Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das on October 13. They were accused of entering Jantar Mantar without permission and were sent to five days of judicial custody, according to the report. CJP leader Abhijeet Deepke described the police action and the arrests as illegal.
The New Delhi Municipal Council has informed the police that Central Park will remain closed on October 16 and 17 for administrative reasons. The report also said Delhi Police may allow a small group of 11 people to unfurl the national flag and sing the national anthem during the CJP’s ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march, taking into account the prevailing security and law-and-order situation.
Traffic conditions will depend on the size and movement of the gathering. Commuters travelling through central Delhi during the afternoon and evening have been advised to leave early, use public transport and comply with instructions issued by officials at the site.
