New Delhi, Oct 6 Barricades and police vehicles replaced the usual stream of cars along Lutyens’ Delhi thoroughfare throughout Tuesday, forcing motorists to either turn homewards, or take long detours, while some abandoned their vehicles altogether and trudged to their destinations.
For over ten hours, several stretches at the capital’s power centre remained shut for regular traffic.
Roads leading to government offices and VIP residential areas saw police vehicles stationed along its length, and heavy deployment of security personnel, while a few pedestrians went about their day — a stark change from the usual bustle.
In view of the INDIA bloc protest against alleged irregularities in the functioning of the Election Commission and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, layers of barricades thwarted vehicular access across New Delhi district.
At several points, motorists were seen stopping at barricades and pleading with security personnel before dejectedly turning around, while those with authorised identity cards were allowed through.
For commuters trying to reach their offices on Tuesday, the restrictions meant crawling traffic, repeated diversions, long detours and, for some, a tiring search for parking spot outside the restricted zone.
“I have been going in circles for the past 45 minutes. I have been asked to take multiple detours, and I still haven’t managed to find my way to office, or a place to park my car,” a frustrated motorist said, staring at the barricade that impeded his daily route.
Another commuter said the traffic restrictions had turned a routine journey into a prolonged struggle, with several routes closed and traffic being pushed towards adjoining roads.
While the roads inside the restricted zone remained largely empty, traffic on surrounding stretches was crawling, with vehicles packed bumper-to-bumper.
Traffic congestion was reported near the Patel Chowk and GPO roundabouts, Connaught Place Outer Circle, RML Hospital, Ashoka Road, Jaisingh Road, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Sansad Marg and Jantar Mantar.
Congestion was also reported on major roads leading into New Delhi district including Sardar Patel Marg, St Martin Marg, Patel Chowk, Ashoka Road, and the Dhaula Kuan junction.
Delhi Traffic Police said concerned traffic inspectors and traffic control room had been told to assess the ground situation and facilitate traffic movement. Any restrictions would be eased or removed as soon as operational conditions permit, they said.
“The traffic hardly unmoved. We were stuck for nearly an hour before some of us decided to abandon our cab and take the metro instead,” a commuter, who was stuck on Ashoka Road, said.
Another commuter reported heavy congestion from the Mori Gate roundabout towards Hamilton Road and the Pul Dufferin rail overbridge.
The disruption spread across the New Delhi area, with movement affected on Krishna Menon Marg, Rajpath and Circular Road, while heavy congestion was reported at several roundabouts near India Gate.
“The entire road near the Taj and Marriott was blocked for VIP movement and thousands of vehicles were left stuck. There was heavy barricading and no way through,” another commuter said.
Traffic officials acknowledged the concerns regarding traffic restrictions in the vicinity of Taj and Marriott hotels and the resulting congestion. “Traffic regulation during VIP/VVIP movements is undertaken as per operational and security requirements and efforts are made to keep such restrictions need-based and for the minimum possible duration,” they said.
In an earlier advisory, traffic police said vehicular movement would be regulated or diverted on the Connaught Place-Patel Chowk-Parliament Street stretch, Patel Chowk towards GPO, Windsor Place towards GPO, Ashoka Road, Jantar Mantar Road, Parliament Street and adjoining roads.
Commuters were advised to avoid unnecessary journeys through Jantar Mantar, Parliament Street, Ashoka Road and adjoining areas and expect diversions, barricading and congestion.
The traffic arrangements were put in place from 8 am Tuesday in view of the INDIA bloc march from the Parliament building to the Election Commission (EC) office.
Opposition MPs and leaders marched towards the EC headquarters amid heavy security before they were stopped near the NITI Aayog office on Parliament Street.
(PTI News)
