Delhi faced widespread transport and movement restrictions on Saturday as police detained at least 600 people ahead of a proposed Cockroach Janta Party protest at Jantar Mantar, with more than 250 trains cancelled and entry and exit gates shut at 45 Delhi Metro stations.
The security measures were imposed ahead of the CJP demonstration, which is seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations concerning voter-list manipulation during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and changes linked to Form 6, used for voter registration. Police said traffic restrictions began at 6am, with diversions and vehicle checks across central Delhi.
The Delhi Traffic Police warned of disruption around Connaught Place, Mandi House, Jantar Mantar, Patel Chowk, Rail Bhawan, Gol Dak Khana, Windsor Place and other key intersections. Affected routes include the Ashoka Road-Jantar Mantar Road roundabout, Tolstoy Marg-Janpath crossing, Jai Singh Road-Sansad Marg crossing, Patel Chowk and the Minto Road-Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg junction.
Traffic may also be affected near the Barakhamba Road intersection, Lodhi Road flyover, Neela Gumbad roundabout, Madarsa T-point, Samrat Hotel roundabout, the Sardar Patel Marg-Panchsheel Marg crossing and the Ring Road-San Martin Marg intersection. Police personnel were deployed at barricades and key junctions, while commuters were advised to avoid non-essential travel and allow additional time for their journeys.
Rail services were among the most affected. More than 75 long-distance express and mail trains operating to and from New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations, along with 179 local trains, were reported cancelled for Saturday. Trains scheduled to arrive between 4am and 2pm were expected to face the greatest impact. The affected services included the Magadh Express, Tejas Rajdhani Express, Sampoorna Kranti Express, Shatabdi, Prayagraj Express and Humsafar Express.
A senior official cited intelligence inputs and the traffic advisory in explaining the cancellations, saying severe congestion was expected around New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations. Railway veterans described the scale of cancellations linked to traffic concerns as unprecedented. Police clarified that passengers with valid train tickets would not be stopped from travelling, but action would be taken against people attempting to breach law and order.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation said entry and exit gates at 45 stations had been closed from Friday night and would remain restricted on Saturday until further notice. The affected stations included Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat, New Delhi, Patel Chowk, Mandi House, Janpath, Supreme Court, ITO and Kashmere Gate, as well as stations in south and northeast Delhi. Interchange facilities were available at the affected stations, except New Delhi metro station, where restrictions applied.
Security checks were also intensified at Delhi’s borders, bus terminals and other transit points. Police were checking hotels, guest houses, lodges and dharamshalas and monitoring social media posts linked to the proposed gathering. More than 200 content creators were reportedly under scrutiny. Liquor shops across Delhi were ordered to remain closed on Saturday, while police made public appeals through religious places for people to maintain peace and cooperate with authorities.
Passengers travelling through New Delhi and central Delhi to railway stations, inter-state bus terminals or the airport were advised to check official announcements before starting their journeys. Police said personnel would remain deployed through Saturday to monitor crowd movement, prevent traffic obstructions and respond to any attempt to breach barricades.
