600 detained, 250+ trains cancelled, 45 Metro stations shut: Delhi on high alert

Delhi Police on Friday detained several protesters, who were trying to reach Jantar Mantar.

NEW DELHI: At least 600 people have been detained under Section 65 of the Delhi Police Act as security was stepped up across the national capital ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) proposed protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.Stringent traffic restrictions came into force from 6am, with diversions planned at several locations across Delhi. Police personnel were deployed at barricades and key intersections, checking vehicles and monitoring movement around the protest site.The heightened security comes amid restrictions on metro services, train cancellations and a suspension of mobile internet services in parts of the capital.Delhi Traffic Police has warned of possible disruptions around Connaught Place, Mandi House, Jantar Mantar, Patel Chowk and other key intersections in central Delhi. The diversions will be regulated according to the prevailing law and order situation.According to the traffic advisory, affected stretches include the Ashoka Road-Jantar Mantar Road roundabout, Tolstoy Marg-Janpath crossing, Jai Singh Road-Sansad Marg crossing, Rail Bhawan roundabout, Patel Chowk, Gol Dak Khana and Windsor Place.

Traffic may also be affected at Mandi House, the Chelmsford Road and Sansad Marg intersections with Connaught Place’s outer circle, the Barakhamba Road intersection and the Minto Road-Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg junction.Other locations include the Bharion Road-Mahatma Gandhi Marg intersection, Lodhi Road flyover, Neela Gumbad roundabout, Madarsa T-point, Samrat Hotel roundabout, Sardar Patel Marg-Panchsheel Marg crossing, the underpasses beneath the Bhikaji Cama Place and Moti Bagh flyovers, and the Ring Road-San Martin Marg intersection.Visuals from early Saturday showed a heavy police presence around the protest site, with personnel stationed along roads and at barricades. Traffic was moving smoothly in the morning, although police stopped and checked some vehicles entering and leaving the area.Commuters have been advised to avoid non-essential travel and allow extra time for their journeys. Those travelling to railway stations, inter-state bus terminals or the airport through New Delhi and central Delhi have been asked to plan accordingly.Police have also cited concerns over alleged violations of directions issued by authorities during an earlier demonstration.

Over 250 trains to be cancelled

Over 75 long-distance expre­ss and mail trains to and from New Delhi and Nizamuddin stations, and 179 local trains have been cancelled for Saturday. The number may rise.Trains scheduled to arrive between 4am and 2pm would be impacted the most.A senior official said intel inputs and the traffic advisory indicated severe road congestion around New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations in this period.

Railway veterans said such mass cancellations over “traffic concerns” was “unprecedented”.Among the major trains ca­ncelled are Magadh Exp, Tejas Rajdhani Exp, Sampoorna Kranti Exp, Shatabdi, Prayagraj Exp, and Humsafar Exp

Metro and train services affected

Entry and exit gates at 45 Delhi Metro stations have been closed since Friday night. The affected stations include Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat, New Delhi, Patel Chowk, Mandi House, Janpath, Supreme Court, ITO and Kashmere Gate, along with several stations in south and northeast Delhi.According to the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, the restrictions will remain in place on Saturday until further notice. Interchange facilities will be available at the affected stations, except at New Delhi metro station, where restrictions will apply.Rail passengers are also likely to face disruption, with several trains scheduled to arrive at or depart from New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations between 4 am and 2 pm reported cancelled.Police have clarified that passengers with valid train tickets will not be stopped from travelling. Action will be taken against those attempting to breach law and order, they said.

Borders, hotels under watch

Security has been tightened at Delhi’s borders, with additional surveillance and checks on vehicles entering the city. Police are also checking hotels, guest houses, lodges and dharamshalas, while maintaining heightened vigilance at bus terminals and other transit points.Authorities are monitoring social media platforms for attempts to mobilise people for the protest. More than 200 content creators are reportedly under scrutiny as police examine online posts and messages linked to the proposed gathering.Liquor shops across Delhi will remain closed on Saturday as a precautionary measure. Police are also making public appeals through religious places, urging people to maintain peace and cooperate with the authorities.The CJP protest centres on allegations of voter-list manipulation during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and changes relating to Form 6, which is used for voter registration.Police said security personnel would remain deployed throughout Saturday to monitor crowd movement, prevent traffic obstructions and respond to any attempt to breach barricades. Commuters have been advised to check official announcements before travelling.