Traffic movement in and around Delhi’s Connaught Place is likely to be affected from 3 pm on Friday, October 16, in view of a proposed gathering by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in the area.
The Delhi Traffic Police has issued an advisory warning commuters that restrictions, diversions and temporary closures could be imposed depending on the ground situation.
Heavy security has also been deployed around Connaught Place and Jantar Mantar, with police personnel and paramilitary forces positioned at strategic locations ahead of the proposed demonstration.
Traffic Restrictions Likely From 3 PM
According to the traffic advisory, vehicular movement on several important roads, intersections and roundabouts in central and south Delhi may be regulated from 3 pm onwards.
The Traffic Police has advised commuters to plan their journeys in advance, allow additional travel time and use public transport wherever possible.
People travelling to railway stations, airports and interstate bus terminals have also been advised to leave with sufficient time in hand.
21 Locations Commuters Have Been Asked to Avoid
The Delhi Traffic Police has identified 21 locations where restrictions or diversions may be imposed depending on the situation:
- Panchkuian Roundabout
- Mandi House Roundabout
- Dr Dinesh Nandini Dalmia Chowk (W-Point)
- Ram Charan Aggarwal Chowk (A-Point)
- Minto Road-Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg
- Guru Nanak Chowk
- Chelmsford Road-Connaught Place Outer Circle T-Point
- Bhairon Road-Ring Road T-Point
- Lodhi Road Flyover
- Neela Gumbad Roundabout
- Sardar Patel Marg-Panchsheel Marg Crossing
- Under Bhikaji Cama Place
- Under Moti Bagh Flyover
- Ring Road-San Martin Marg T-Point
- Ashoka Road-Jantar Mantar Road Roundabout
- Rail Bhawan Roundabout
- Jai Singh Road-Sansad Marg Crossing
- Connaught Place Outer Circle-Barakhamba Road T-Point
- Patel Chowk Roundabout
- Jai Singh Road-Ashoka Road T-Point
- RML Hospital Roundabout
Traffic diversions may be introduced dynamically depending on crowd movement and security requirements.
Central Park Closed for Two Days
The New Delhi Municipal Council has announced that Central Park in Connaught Place will remain closed to the general public on October 16 and 17.
The NDMC has cited “administrative reasons” for the closure and has not given any further official explanation.
The decision comes ahead of the CJP’s proposed ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ gathering, for which party founder Abhijeet Dipke has called on supporters and members of the public to assemble with the national flag.
CJP Calls for ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ Gathering
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has called on people to gather near Connaught Place with the national flag as part of the party’s continuing protest over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
The party has been demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
These are allegations made by the CJP and other opposition groups. The Election Commission has rejected allegations that the electoral-roll revision process was designed to benefit any political party.
Dipke has also criticised the arrest of CJP functionaries Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, who were sent to five days of judicial custody after allegedly violating peace bonds and entering Jantar Mantar after it was removed from Delhi’s list of designated protest sites.
Section 163 in Force Around Connaught Place
Delhi Police has urged people not to participate in any gathering that violates prohibitory orders imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
Police said the restrictions are intended to maintain law and order and protect public and private property.
Authorities have also said they may facilitate a small group of 11 people at a suitable location to carry the national flag and sing the national anthem, provided all prescribed rules relating to the Tricolour and national anthem are followed.
Delhi High Court Refuses to Pass Restraint Order
The Delhi High Court on Thursday declined to issue a specific order restraining the CJP and Dipke from holding the proposed demonstration.
However, this did not amount to formal permission for the gathering.
A bench of Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma took on record Delhi Police’s assurance that all necessary steps would be taken to regulate the protesters and address concerns over possible disruption to businesses in Connaught Place.
The matter arose from a petition filed by a Palika Bazar vendor who argued that demonstrations during the festive season could hurt traders and disrupt commercial activity. The court will hear the matter again on November 3.
Traders Seek Protection During Festive Season
Several market and traders’ associations in Connaught Place and nearby areas have approached police seeking protection for their establishments.
They have expressed concern that large gatherings and security barricades could affect customer movement and business during the ongoing festive season.
Delhi Police has said personnel will be deployed at strategic locations, barricades will be installed where necessary and the movement of protesters and commuters will be regulated.
Delhi Traffic Police Issues Advisory for Commuters
The Traffic Police has advised commuters to:
- Plan journeys in advance and keep extra travel time.
- Prefer public transport, particularly the Delhi Metro.
- Follow instructions issued by traffic personnel on the ground.
- Avoid unnecessary travel through Connaught Place and Lutyens’ Delhi.
- Use designated parking areas instead of parking vehicles along roads.
- Monitor official Delhi Traffic Police social media handles for real-time updates.
Traffic conditions may change during the day depending on crowd movement and security arrangements.
With Central Park shut, prohibitory orders in force and heavy security deployment planned, commuters travelling through central Delhi on Friday are likely to face delays and should check the latest traffic updates before leaving.
