India

Heavy Traffic in Lutyens' Delhi as INDIA Bloc Marches Toward Election Commission

By PTI

On Tuesday, traffic in Lutyens' Delhi slowed to almost a crawl as the INDIA bloc marched toward the Election Commission, causing long queues that spilled onto adjacent roads. Motorists struggled to find alternate routes through the heavily barricaded area, and commuters reported being stuck for at least an hour. Some abandoned their vehicles and used the Metro or walked to reach destinations in central Delhi. The congestion affected Connaught Place, Patel Chowk, Rafi Marg, Parliament Street, Motilal Nehru Marg, Teen Murti Marg, Prithviraj Road, Windsor Place, Ashoka Road, and Jantar Mantar Road. A commuter on Ashoka Road said, “Traffic was moving at almost zero speed and the queue barely moved. We were stuck for nearly an hour before some of us decided to get down and take the Metro instead.”

The New Delhi area also saw disruptions on Krishna Menon Marg, Rajpath, Circular Road, and several roundabouts around India Gate. One commuter described a complete jam from the Mori Gate roundabout toward Hamilton Road and Pul Dufferin rail over bridge. Another reported heavy congestion around India Gate, with restrictions and diversions making it difficult to move between adjoining areas. “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 easy way through,” the commuter said.

Police explained that restrictions around the Taj and Marriott hotels were linked to VIP/VVIP movements and were imposed according to operational and security requirements. “We understand the concern 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,” the police said.

The disruption followed special traffic arrangements put in place from 8 a.m. for the INDIA bloc march from Parliament Street to the EC headquarters to protest the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The Delhi Traffic Police said vehicular movement was being regulated or diverted on several key roads in and around Connaught Place, Patel Chowk, Parliament Street, and Jantar Mantar. Commuters were advised to avoid unnecessary journeys through Jantar Mantar, Parliament Street, Ashoka Road and adjoining areas and to expect diversions, barricading and congestion. Traffic personnel remained deployed at critical points to manage diversions and ease congestion, with normal movement gradually restoring after the movements.

The INDIA bloc opposition MPs marched toward the EC headquarters with heavy security and barricading around Parliament and the poll panel’s office. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with other MPs and supporters, attempted to proceed toward the EC office but were stopped near the NITI Aayog office on Parliament Street. The INDIA bloc has opposed the SIR exercise and raised concerns over the revision of electoral rolls, while the Election Commission has rejected allegations of a split among its three‑member body and maintained that decisions on the exercise were taken unanimously.