Over 70 roadblocks cause chaos in central Delhi
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The traffic map resembled a notice board with pins scattered everywhere.
It is hard to recall when the last time so many road closures were marked on Google Maps in Delhi. On Saturday, October 10, at 11:30 AM, the traffic map of central Delhi looked as if pins had been stuck all over a notice board. More than 70 roadblock signs were visible across central Delhi. Red lines indicating slow traffic and jams were also seen among these signs on major roads and intersections.
Amid protests by the Cockroach Public Party (CJP) and other organizations demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, security was tightened in the capital. The strict surveillance by police and traffic restrictions in and around Jantar Mantar were evident on the streets of central Delhi. Vehicles moved slowly on several major routes, leading to long queues in busy areas. People passing through these routes faced heavy traffic jams and delays.
Traffic restrictions came into effect from 6 AM. Barricades were set up on major routes, and vehicles were being checked. The checks and restrictions affected the speed of traffic. Vehicles had to move slowly on many roads, resulting in long queues behind them. The impact of the tightened security around the protest site was also visible on those routes connecting other parts of central Delhi to Jantar Mantar and its surrounding areas.
The traffic view on Google Maps showed significant congestion on the roads of central Delhi. The sections of road marked in red indicated slow-moving traffic. Traffic disruptions were observed on Connaught Place, Janpath, Jantar Mantar, and the surrounding routes. Additionally, jams were visible on roads connecting to the broader area of central Delhi. The situation at various locations on the map indicated that the impact of the restrictions was not limited to just the immediate vicinity of the protest site.
Traffic was affected on Barakhamba Road, Janpath, Ashok Road, and Parliament Street. The speed of vehicles was also slow on the routes leading to India Gate and the Central Secretariat. However, the situation was not uniform across every road. Some areas experienced heavy traffic, while vehicles moved relatively smoothly in other parts. Thus, there was a variation in traffic conditions on different routes within central Delhi. Some places had long queues, while others had better movement.
Traffic congestion was more pronounced around major intersections and the roads leading to Jantar Mantar. The speed of vehicles on these routes remained consistently slow due to security checks and movement restrictions near the protest area. Passengers traveling through Connaught Place, Janpath, and Barakhamba Road faced delays. The same situation was observed on the routes between India Gate and the Central Secretariat, where vehicles were moving at a very slow pace, affecting people's movement.
Along with security arrangements and traffic restrictions on the roads, public transport and mobile internet services were also restricted. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation announced the closure of entry and exit gates at 57 metro stations. This arrangement was to come into effect from 9 PM on Friday and was to continue until the situation normalized on Saturday. Thus, the traffic jams on the roads, along with the restrictions at metro station entry and exit points, became part of the commuting situation in the capital.
Additionally, a 24-hour suspension of mobile internet services was also implemented in some parts of central Delhi. This suspension became effective from 10 PM on Friday. Therefore, on Saturday, during the protests, the combined restrictions on road traffic, access to metro stations, and mobile internet services were in place. The visible traffic jams on the streets of central Delhi and the barricades set up at various locations were affecting people's movement amid this extensive security arrangement.
According to a report by PTI,
Delhi Traffic Police stated that the restrictions would be reviewed based on the assessment of the situation on the ground. Depending on law and order conditions, the restrictions could be relaxed or made stricter. According to the police, changes in traffic arrangements would be made according to the real-time situation that arises.