Amid protests by the BJP and the AAP in the national Capital on Tuesday, commuters travelling in the city faced inconvenience while being met with traffic jams in Central Delhi during their journey.
Taking note of the situation in light of the protests organised by the political parties, Delhi Police beefed up security in several parts of the national Capital, including around the PM’s residence and Central Delhi, by deploying its personnel and those of paramilitary forces.
Due to protests, nine hours after shutting the gates of Lok Kalyan Marg metro station due to security reasons, the DMRC has opened its entry and exit on Tuesday evening, officials said. Two gates of Patel Chowk and Central Secretariat metro station were also opened, they said.
Ahead of the AAP’s protest against Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Tuesday closed the entry and exit gates at Lok Kalyan Marg metro station. The entry and exit have been restricted at Patel Chowk and Central Secretariat metro stations.
“Due to security reasons, entry/exit at Lok Kalyan Marg Metro station, Gate no 3 of Patel Chowk Metro Station and Gate no 5 of Central Secretariat Metro station will remain closed till further notice,” the DMRC said in a post on X.
Later in the evening, the DMRC said that the entry and exit gates at Lok Kalyan Marg metro station have been opened. Gate number 3 of Patel Chowk metro station and gate number 5 of Central Secretariat metro station are now open for entry and exit.
“There is no permission to hold protest. We also got information that protesters will gather at the Patel Chowk Metro station. In view of that, we have stepped up security arrangements,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Devesh Kumar said.
Security personnel in anti-riot gear were seen around the metro stations and at other places in the Central Delhi area. Kumar said if protesters try to reach and gather, they will be detained immediately.
“We have proper security arrangements at the prime minister’s residence and the Patel Chowk metro station. Protest will not be allowed. As common people also travel by the metro, they will not be disturbed. We have deployed staff to identify protesters and to detain them,” the DCP said. Another senior police officer said that “robust security arrangements have been made. We have installed layers of security to maintain law and order situation in the area”.
Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure have been already imposed around the prime minister’s residence, and no one will be allowed to protest there, the officer said. Traffic movement is likely to be affected in parts of New Delhi and Central Delhi due to the proposed “gherao”, an officer of the Delhi Traffic Police said. Diversions have also been put in place at seven points, police said.
“Commuters must avoid Kemal Ataturk Marg, Safdarjung Road, Akbar Road and Teen Murti Marg on Tuesday in view of protest,” the officer said. The security arrangements come after AAP leader and Delhi Minister Gopal Rai had announced plans of the party to “gherao” the prime minister’s residence on Tuesday, as a form of protest against the arrest of Kejriwal by the ED.
The Delhi Traffic Police has made special arrangements, restricting the movement of vehicles in the national capital’s central part.
In an advisory, it said traffic in central Delhi will be affected and parking of vehicles will not be allowed on Tughlaq Road, Safdarjung Road and Kemal Ataturk Marg.
Traffic will be affected in the New Delhi area due to a special law and order arrangement, the advisory stated.
“To ensure smooth traffic management in the New Delhi area, no vehicle will be allowed to halt or park anywhere on Tughlak Road, Safdarjung Road and Kemal Ataturk Marg, general entry for the public will not be allowed, and vehicles found parked on the above roads shall be towed away and prosecuted for improper parking and disobedience of lawful instructions,” it said.
If needed, traffic will be diverted from Aurobindo Chowk, Tughlaq Road, Samrat Hotel roundabout, Gymkhana Post Office roundabout, Teen Murti Haifa roundabout, Niti Marg roundabout and Kautilya Marg roundabout, it added.
The traffic police also requested commuters to avoid Kemal Ataturk Marg, Safdarjung Road, Akbar Road and Teen Murti Marg.
