Parts of Delhi witnessed massive traffic jams on Monday, 20 June, as the traffic police closed off several roads amid protests and a call for a Bharat Bandh against the Centre's Agnipath scheme as well as the Congress' 'satyagraha' over Rahul Gandhi's questioning by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Gandhi is appearing before the agency in the National Herald money laundering case for the fourth time on Monday.
Heavy traffic was seen at Noida-Delhi Link Road at Chilla border due to security checks by the Uttar Pradesh Police in light of the call for a Bharat Bandh.
Heavy traffic jams were witnessed on the Sarhaul border at Delhi-Gurugram expressway, with Delhi Police carrying out checking of vehicles in light of the bandh.
Massive traffic jams were witnessed at Delhi-Noida-Delhi flyway, Meerut Expressway, Anand Vihar, Sarai Kale Khan, Pragati Maidan, and other parts of Delhi.
What Did Delhi Police Say?
The Delhi Traffic Police, however, said their teams have been deployed at various spots to ensure smooth flow of traffic.
In a series of tweets, the traffic police informed commuters about road closures.
- 01/02
Heavy traffic jam on Delhi-Meerut expressway amid increased security due to Bharat Bandh.
(Photo: PTI)
- 02/02
The traffic police advised commuters to avoid certain areas between 8 am and 12 pm.
(Photo: PTI)
Due to special traffic arrangements, inward movement of buses will be restricted in New Delhi beyond Gol Dak Khana Junction, Patel Chowk, Windsor Place, Teen Murti Chowk and Prithviraj Road, the traffic police said.
"Kindly avoid Gol Methi junction, Tughlak Road Junction, Claridges Junction, Q-point Junction, Sunehri Masjid Junction, Maulana Azad Road Junction & Man Singh Road Junction between 0800 hrs & 1200 hrs. Due to special arrangements there will be heavy traffic movement on these roads," it added.
The traffic police also advised commuters to avoid Motilal Nehru Marg, Akbar Road, Janpath, and Man Singh Road between 8 am and 12 pm.
Security Tightened in Delhi
The Delhi Police tightened security across the city and its bordering areas on Monday and warned of strict action against those trying to disrupt the law and order situation.
Adequate security arrangements have been put in place and a strict vigil is being kept as per the intelligence input, the police said.
There is heavy deployment at railway stations across the national capital, and the Government Railway Police Force (GRPF) is also coordinating with its units in the neighbouring states, it added.
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Special Branch and PRO, Suman Nalwa warned of strict action against any person trying to disturb the law and order situation in Delhi.
"We are in full preparedness so that no untoward incident happens. Delhi is open. The traffic movement is smooth. All establishments and offices are open. There is no bandh in Delhi. Borders are not closed. But we are keeping a strict vigil as per the intelligence inputs received and taking all precautions," she told PTI.
In Delhi, paramilitary forces remain deployed round the clock and they assist the Delhi Police in major law and order situations in addition to ensuring VVIP movement, the police said.
(With inputs from PTI.)
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