Extensive Barricades Halts Movement in Lutyens’ Delhi
Heavy barricades and massive police deployments replaced the usual flow of traffic across Lutyens’ Delhi on Tuesday, leaving motorists stranded, forced into long detours, or compelled to abandon their vehicles entirely. According to CNBC-TV18, key roads connecting government offices and VIP residential areas remained shut for over ten hours as security personnel blocked regular vehicular access throughout the capital’s power centre.
The extensive traffic restrictions were implemented starting at 8:00 AM on Tuesday in response to a planned protest march by the INDIA bloc. Opposition MPs and leaders organized the demonstration to march from the Parliament building toward the Election Commission headquarters, citing alleged irregularities in the functioning of the election body and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Severe Gridlock and Spreading Congestion
As layers of barricades thwarted entry into the New Delhi district, commuters faced crawling traffic and repeated detours. Motorists reported driving in circles for up to 45 minutes trying to find open routes or parking spaces outside the restricted zone. While roads directly inside the cordoned-off area remained largely empty, surrounding arterial stretches quickly packed bumper-to-bumper.
Major congestion points were recorded near Patel Chowk, GPO roundabouts, Connaught Place Outer Circle, RML Hospital, Ashoka Road, Jaisingh Road, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Sansad Marg, and Jantar Mantar. Additional bottlenecks choked major approach roads including Sardar Patel Marg, St Martin Marg, and the Dhaula Kuan junction. Some frustrated commuters reported abandoning their cabs to complete their journeys on foot or via the Delhi Metro.
Official Advisory and Security Justifications
Ahead of the demonstrations, Delhi Traffic Police issued advisories warning the public to avoid the Connaught Place, Patel Chowk, and Parliament Street corridors. Traffic control rooms and inspectors were deployed on the ground to assess real-time conditions and facilitate movement where operational safety permitted.
Addressing separate public complaints regarding heavy blocks near the Taj and Marriott hotels, traffic officials noted that regulation during VIP and VVIP movements strictly follows operational and security protocols. Authorities maintained that such restrictions are kept strictly need-based and limited to the minimum possible duration. The protest march ultimately culminated when security forces stopped the opposition leaders near the NITI Aayog office on Parliament Street.