Delhi protest today: Massive traffic jams reported in central Delhi, check affected areas

Heavy traffic congestion was reported across several parts of central Delhi on Saturday as police tightened security and deployed personnel at key locations ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) planned protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The demonstration was planned at Jantar Mantar despite permission not being granted for it, prompting security arrangements and traffic restrictions across the capital.

Delhi Police imposed traffic restrictions from 6 am, with barricades, vehicle checks and diversions slowing movement on several roads leading towards the protest site. Police personnel were deployed in large numbers to monitor traffic and prevent the unauthorised gathering from taking place.

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Traffic restrictions across central Delhi

The Delhi Traffic Police warned commuters about possible disruptions around Connaught Place, Mandi House, Jantar Mantar, Patel Chowk and other major intersections. Officials said diversions would be regulated according to the prevailing law and order situation.

The advisory listed several stretches where traffic movement could be affected, including the Ashoka Road-Jantar Mantar Road roundabout, Tolstoy Marg-Janpath crossing, Jai Singh Road-Sansad Marg crossing, Rail Bhawan roundabout, Patel Chowk, Gol Dak Khana and Windsor Place.

Other affected locations included Mandi House, the Chelmsford Road and Sansad Marg intersections with Connaught Place's outer circle, the Barakhamba Road intersection and the Minto Road-Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg junction.

Traffic disruptions were also possible at the Chelmsford Road-Connaught Place outer circle intersection, Bharion Road-Mahatma Gandhi Marg intersection, Lodhi Road flyover, Neela Gumbad roundabout, Madarsa T-point, Samrat Hotel roundabout, Sardar Patel Marg-Panchsheel Marg crossing, the underpasses beneath the Bhikaji Cama Place and Moti Bagh flyovers, and the Ring Road-San Martin Marg intersection.

Heavy police deployment, vehicle checks

Visuals from the protest site early on Saturday showed a substantial police presence, with personnel stationed along roads and at barricades across the city. Police were checking vehicles entering and leaving certain areas, while traffic movement was being monitored amid heightened security.

Although traffic was reported to be moving smoothly at some points near the protest site, congestion and slower movement were reported on several stretches as checks and restrictions affected commuters.

The CJP planned to demonstrate against the SIR exercise and demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Police arrangements were aimed at maintaining law and order and preventing the protest from proceeding without permission.

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Metro restrictions and mobile internet suspension

The security measures extended beyond road traffic. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation had announced that entry and exit gates at 45 metro stations would remain closed from 9 pm on Friday until the situation returned to normal on Saturday.

A 24-hour suspension of mobile internet services in parts of central Delhi also came into effect at 10 pm on Friday.

Commuters were advised to avoid non-essential travel and allow additional time for their journeys. People travelling through New Delhi and central Delhi to railway stations, inter-state bus terminals or the airport were asked to plan their routes accordingly.

The Delhi Traffic Police said restrictions would be reviewed based on real-time assessments of the situation and could be relaxed or tightened as required.