New Delhi: For thousands of commuters, Saturday became a lesson in uncertainty. As protesters demanding chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation took to the streets and police enforced an extensive security lockdown, navigating Delhi turned into a challenge of guesswork, with roads opening and closing without warning, traffic piling up across key corridors and internet connectivity faltering in several areas.
Around 3 pm, traffic began building up on stretches that had remained relatively unaffected earlier in the day. Kritika was travelling on Aurobindo Marg around 3.30 pm when police prevented her from taking the Safdarjung flyover, which had been barricaded. confusion deepened as the day wore on While several roads were blocked in the morning. Even as Delhi Traffic Police posted real-time updates on social media as barricades were removed and traffic restrictions eased, commuters continued to encounter closures and diversions on the ground. Roads were opened and shut depending on the movement of protesters and security requirements, often leaving motorists stranded with little indication of which routes remained accessible. By afternoon, the disruptions had spread southwards as a section of the protest shifted towards Dilli Haat, where AISA students began a march. Aurobindo Marg was shut to traffic, while a heavy police presence around INA Market and adjoining roads triggered long tailbacks. With several connecting roads also affected, commuters had limited alternatives.
Connectivity issues were reported well beyond the immediate Jantar Mantar area, including parts of Chanakyapuri, south Delhi and stretches along Mathura Road. The traffic disruptions were compounded by reports of mobile internet outages, which made it difficult for commuters to access navigation apps, traffic updates or communicate with family and colleagues.