Delhi Traffic Police has issued an advisory ahead of the Cockroach Janata Party’s ‘Tiranga March’ at Central Park in Connaught Place, warning that traffic may be affected on several roads in central Delhi after 3 pm on Friday. Commuters have been advised to plan journeys in advance, allow extra travel time and use public transport wherever possible.
The advisory covers major routes around Connaught Place, Jantar Mantar and central government offices. The roads that may see traffic disruption 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 Bhavan, Rafi Marg, C-Hexagon, Mandi House, Patel Chowk, Windsor Place, Gol Dak Khana, Ashoka Road between GPO and C-Hexagon, and Tolstoy Marg.
Delhi Traffic Police said diversions could be introduced depending on conditions at the site. Commuters have been asked to follow instructions from personnel deployed on the roads and avoid parking vehicles along the roadside. The advisory also recommends that people leave home with additional time because traffic movement may change during the march.
The march is linked to the arrests of CJP co-conveners Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das. According to the report, the two were arrested on October 13 on allegations of entering Jantar Mantar without permission and were subsequently sent to five days of judicial custody. Abhijit Deepke has described the police action and the arrests as illegal.
Security arrangements have been strengthened around Jantar Mantar and Connaught Place. The report said a large police force and several units of paramilitary personnel have been deployed in the area to monitor the situation and protect citizens during the event.
The New Delhi Municipal Council has also informed the police that Central Park will remain closed on October 16 and 17 for administrative reasons. The closure is expected to affect access to the venue independently of any traffic restrictions imposed during the march.
Delhi Police has said that, considering the prevailing security and law-and-order situation, groups of up to 11 people may be allowed to unfurl the national flag and sing the national anthem during the CJP’s ‘Lahara Do Tiranga’ march. The traffic advisory and any diversions will remain subject to conditions on the ground and directions issued by personnel deployed in the area.
