Central Delhi traffic remained largely manageable on Friday despite protests and security restrictions, but Connaught Place’s Inner Circle and Mandi House became major congestion points during the evening commute and festive shopping rush.
By 5pm, police vehicles and buses were stationed on both sides of Connaught Place’s Inner Circle, leaving room for only one row of vehicles to pass at some stretches, according to observations cited in the Times of India report. By around 5.30pm, the entire stretch appeared to have been closed to traffic as protesters began marching.
Mandi House, particularly Barakhamba Road, also experienced congestion after AISA’s Neha Bora called for a Tiranga march. The traffic disruption followed protests over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and security restrictions imposed after CJP’s “Lehra do Tiranga” call.
Despite the restrictions, much of central Delhi continued to move and the Delhi Metro remained operational, offering an alternative for commuters. The disruption was described as more localised than on several previous protest days, with most roads in the wider central Delhi area remaining relatively clear.
Security remained tight around several important roads and public locations, including Rajiv Chowk metro station, Janpath, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, State Entry Road, Chelmsford Road, KG Marg, Windsor Place, Rafi Marg, Rail Bhavan, Sunheri Masjid, C-Hexagon, Sansad Marg, Minto Road, Tolstoy Marg, Barakhamba Road flyover, Mandi House and DDU Marg.
The restrictions came as Durga Puja and Dussehra celebrations were under way and festive shopping activity increased around Connaught Place. Residents and visitors expressed concern online about the uncertainty of travelling with families to the area. One user wrote that Durga Puja events were taking place in and around Connaught Place and questioned how families could commute amid the restrictions.
Other users raised concerns about the effect of repeated road closures on ordinary commuters, traders and shopkeepers. Posts also referred to schoolchildren travelling in buses, ambulances delayed by congestion and people trying to reach railway stations and airports. One user urged traders’ associations and shopkeepers to respond to the effect of repeated traffic disruption on festive business.
While traffic remained relatively smooth across much of central Delhi, the evening movement around Connaught Place and Mandi House was shaped by police deployment, protest marches and temporary restrictions. The Delhi Metro continued to run as the principal public transport alternative during the disruption.
