Central Delhi Traffic Hit by INDIA Bloc Rally Restrictions Around Connaught Place
Traffic restrictions and security diversions were enforced across parts of Central Delhi, including routes surrounding Connaught Place, on Sunday morning as authorities managed arrangements for the INDIA bloc's 'Chalo Delhi' rally at Ramlila Maidan. Delhi Police made extensive crowd control and screening arrangements to handle an expected gathering of 45,000 to 50,000 people at the venue.
Attendees began arriving at Ramlila Maidan early Sunday morning, where security personnel were stationed to screen visitors using Door Frame Metal Detectors installed at entry points. Members of Parliament were scheduled to assemble at the Constitution Club before heading toward Ramlila Maidan from the Minto Road-Connaught Place junction at noon. Top opposition figures, including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Mamata Banerjee, Abhishek Banerjee, Hemant Soren, Revanth Reddy, Tejashwi Yadav, and Akhilesh Yadav, were expected to attend the demonstration.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Rohit Rajbir confirmed the venue arrangements, stating that the ground could hold between 45,000 and 50,000 people and that preparations were in place if numbers grew further. Rajbir explained that if more people turned up, authorities would accommodate them on surrounding roads, adding that a significant portion of the ground remained unoccupied early on. He confirmed that police personnel were deployed for screening, clarified there were no restrictions on general movement, and noted that police remained in contact with organisers to ensure adherence to agreed plans.
The Delhi Traffic Police scheduled diversions from 10 am to 5 pm across ten critical checkpoints. These locations included the Netaji Subhash Marg T-Point, Rajghat, Delhi Gate, ITO A-Point, Ajmeri Gate Red Light, Ranjeet Singh Flyover near Barakhamba Road, Bhavbhuti Marg-DDU Marg Red Light, Jhandewalan Roundabout, Turkman Gate, and Mirdard Chowk.
Traffic flow was affected across several major arteries, including Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg from ITO to Delhi Gate, JLN Marg, Aruna Asaf Ali Road, Minto Road, Ranjeet Singh Flyover, Barakhamba Road toward Mandi House, KG Marg, Firoz Shah Road, and Chelmsford Road. Authorities also regulated vehicular movement between Guru Nanak Chowk, Kamla Market Roundabout, Hamdard Chowk, and Turkman Gate, while Delhi Transport Corporation bus routes along BSZ Marg, JLN Marg, and Minto Road faced operational regulations.
To aid commuters heading to New Delhi Railway Station, traffic police advised alternative travel paths. Commuters approaching from Daryaganj Road were directed toward Chelmsford Road, the Outer Circle of Connaught Place, Minto Road, and Bhavbhuti Marg. Passengers from East Delhi were routed via ITO, DDU Marg, and Bhavbhuti Marg, with an alternate route via Sikandra Road, Connaught Place, and Paharganj if DDU Marg saw disruptions. Motorists were advised to avoid roadside parking near the venue and use the Delhi Metro.
