Delhi border security was tightened at several major entry points on Friday, with barricades narrowing carriageways, vehicle checks slowing traffic and police personnel deployed ahead of a proposed protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, according to a report by the Times of India.
The security measures were visible at Chilla and Ghazipur in east Delhi, as well as at Singhu and Tikri on the northern and western approaches to the capital. Vehicle checking was also reported at Ghaziabad and Ayanagar, extending the security watch across several routes used to enter Delhi.
At Chilla border, vehicles travelling from Noida were seen in a long queue approaching the entry point. Barricades funnelled traffic through narrower passages while large police vans were stationed nearby. Central armed police personnel were also deployed, giving the crossing the appearance of a security checkpoint rather than a routine city entry route.
At Ghazipur, central armed police personnel stood along the road and monitored passersby and vehicle movement. Barricades had been placed across parts of the carriageway, including in the middle of the road, reducing the available space for traffic. Vehicles were required to navigate the restricted passage while security personnel maintained a watch over the crossing.
At Singhu border, which connects Delhi with Haryana, barricades divided the approach into three lanes to create separate vehicle passages. At least seven police personnel were stationed along the stretch, scanning vehicles and monitoring movement. Additional barricades were stacked nearby for possible deployment.
Security arrangements were also reported at Tikri border with Haryana, although vehicle checks there appeared less stringent than at some other crossings. The measures came ahead of the proposed Saturday protest at Jantar Mantar. The report did not specify the expected size of the demonstration or the duration of the restrictions.
The border crossings affected by the deployment are important daily access points for people travelling to Delhi from Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon and other surrounding areas. Commuters use these routes to reach workplaces, educational institutions, hospitals and commercial centres inside the capital. The same approaches also carry goods vehicles supplying Delhi’s markets and businesses.
The immediate effect of the arrangements was reduced road capacity at several points because traffic was being channelled through narrower lanes and subjected to checks. The extent of delays varied between locations, with the longest queue described at Chilla border. The report did not provide an official estimate of additional travel time or announce any traffic diversion plan.
The security operation places Delhi’s border crossings at the centre of the city’s wider mobility system. Unlike internal roads, these approaches handle large volumes of inter-city commuters and freight, so restrictions at a single crossing can affect travel beyond the immediate checkpoint. Police deployment and barricading were expected to continue ahead of the proposed protest, with authorities maintaining surveillance at the main approaches to the capital.
