CJP Jantar Mantar March: Delhi Traffic Diversions And Metro Updates Today

The national capital is bracing for another day of significant traffic disruptions as the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) has called for a fresh protest march to Jantar Mantar today, Sunday. The demonstration is centered around the demand for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. In light of the law and order situation, the Delhi Traffic Police has implemented traffic diversions for the second consecutive day, affecting 30 crucial locations across the city. According to the advisory issued late Saturday night, these diversions will be enforced starting from 6 AM today, depending on the ground situation.

Key Areas Affected by Traffic Diversions

Commuters are likely to face difficulties as traffic movement will be heavily impacted around Jantar Mantar, Connaught Place, Mandi House, and Patel Chowk. The Delhi Traffic Police has identified several intersections and roads where diversions are in place. These include the Ashok Road-Jantar Mantar Road roundabout, the Tolstoy Marg-Janpath crossing, and the Jai Singh Road-Sansad Marg crossing. Also, the Rail Bhavan roundabout, Patel Chowk, Gole Dak Khana, and various junctions around Connaught Place are expected to see restricted movement.

The impact extends further into Central Delhi, with potential congestion at Mandi House, the Minto Road-Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg junction, and the Lodhi Road flyover, while other sensitive points include the Neela Gumbad roundabout, Samrat Hotel roundabout, and the Sardar Patel Marg-Panchsheel Marg crossing. Traffic under the Bhikaji Cama Place and Moti Bagh flyovers is also expected to be affected by the ongoing security measures and protest activities.

Metro Services Restored Across All Stations

In a relief for commuters, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has announced the restoration of normal operations across its entire network. All entry and exit gates at metro stations, which were previously restricted, have now been opened. DMRC confirmed that interchange facilities are also fully functional at all relevant stations, while these restrictions were initially imposed at 9 PM on Friday due to security concerns surrounding the CJP protest at Jantar Mantar.

While the stations were originally scheduled to reopen at 6 PM on Saturday, the deadline was extended to 10 PM. During this period, several major stations were affected, including Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat, Patel Chowk, Janpath, Mandi House, ITO, Kashmiri Gate, and New Delhi, while as of Sunday morning, the DMRC has cleared all stations for regular passenger movement, ensuring that the metro remains a viable option for those navigating the city.

Market Advisory and Security Measures

The New Delhi Traders Association (NDTA) has issued a cautionary note to shopkeepers in Connaught Place. Given the sensitive nature of the protests, the NDTA has advised its members to remain vigilant when reopening their shops today. The association has urged business owners to pay close attention to the situation around their entrances and surroundings to prevent any untoward incidents, while this move comes as the Delhi Police has implemented Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) across the New Delhi district, as no formal permission was granted for today's protest.

Protesters Vow to Continue Until Demands Met

The protest is being spearheaded by the CJP and supported by major student organizations like the Students Federation of India (SFI). During a press conference held at HKS Surjeet Bhawan on Saturday, CJP leader Ajinkya Shinde declared that the march to Jantar Mantar would continue until Gyanesh Kumar is removed from the post of Chief Election Commissioner. Shinde also leveled allegations against the Delhi Police, claiming that protesters, including Abhijeet Dipke, were subjected to inhumane treatment while in custody.

SFI General Secretary Srijan Bhattacharya emphasized that the students intend to carry out a peaceful demonstration. However, he noted that if the police use barricades to stop them, the very location where they're halted will become their protest site. This strategy suggests that the protest could spontaneously erupt at various points if the march is intercepted by security forces.

Travel Advice for Commuters

The Delhi Traffic Police has advised citizens to avoid unnecessary travel through New Delhi and Central Delhi today. Those heading to railway stations, inter-state bus terminals (ISBTs), or the airport are encouraged to leave with extra time to account for potential delays, while the police stated that the intensity of restrictions will be adjusted based on real-time assessments of the situation. Travelers are urged to stay updated by checking the official police website and social media platforms for the latest traffic alerts.