New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): Delhi has tightened security and traffic management across several areas on Sunday, November 1, with two major political gatherings scheduled in the capital. While Opposition parties under the INDIA bloc are holding a public rally at Ramlila Maidan, the BJP is organising a separate padyatra in West Delhi.
Nearly 10,000 personnel from Delhi Police and paramilitary forces, including the CRPF and Rapid Action Force, have been deployed to maintain law and order and regulate crowds. The arrangements cover the rally venues, procession routes and several sensitive locations in Central and West Delhi.
The traffic restrictions will operate during different time windows. Commuters may face diversions in Central Delhi between 10 am and 5 pm, while restrictions in parts of West Delhi are expected from 9 am to 3 pm.
INDIA Bloc Rally At Ramlila Maidan: Where Will Security Be Tightened?
The INDIA bloc is holding its ‘Chalo Delhi’ rally at Ramlila Maidan, with the programme scheduled to start at 11 am. Members of Parliament are expected to gather at the Constitution Club before marching towards the venue from the Minto Road-Connaught Place junction at noon.
Among the prominent leaders expected at the gathering are Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Mamata Banerjee, Abhishek Banerjee, Hemant Soren, Revanth Reddy, Tejashwi Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav.
More than 4,000 personnel have been assigned to the Ramlila Maidan venue and the route connecting it with Minto Bridge. Security teams have also been positioned around Connaught Place, Jantar Mantar, Bhagwan Das Road and areas close to the Supreme Court and the Election Commission of India office.
Authorities have imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in sensitive areas to prevent unauthorised gatherings. Surveillance arrangements include CCTV cameras, AI-assisted facial recognition technology and drones.
Central Delhi DCP Rohit Rajbir said the police had installed around 200 to 250 CCTV cameras across the area. He explained that security personnel would cover both the procession route and the rally venue, with additional coordination between the police and organisers.
Volunteers from the Seva Dal, Civil Defence and local residents’ associations are also assisting with crowd management around the venue.
Delhi Traffic Restrictions Today: Check Roads Likely To Be Affected
The Delhi Traffic Police has announced traffic regulation measures across Central Delhi from 10 am to 5 pm. Movement at several junctions will be monitored, and vehicles may be diverted depending on the crowd situation.
The 10 key traffic regulation points are:
- Netaji Subhash Marg T-Point
- Rajghat
- Delhi Gate
- ITO A-Point
- Ajmeri Gate Red Light
- Ranjeet Singh Flyover on Barakhamba Road
- Bhavbhuti Marg-DDU Marg Red Light
- Jhandewalan Roundabout
- Turkman Gate
- Mirdard Chowk
Several important roads may experience slow movement or congestion during the rally. These include BSZ Marg between ITO and Delhi Gate, JLN Marg, Aruna Asaf Ali Road, Minto Road, DBG Road, W-Point, Barakhamba Road towards Mandi House Roundabout, Sikandra Road, KG Marg, Firoz Shah Road and Chelmsford Road.
Traffic regulation may also be required around Guru Nanak Chowk, Kamla Market Roundabout, Hamdard Chowk and Turkman Gate.
Bus services operated by the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) along BSZ Marg, Rajghat to JLN Marg, DBG Road and Minto Road may also be affected.
BJP March In West Delhi: Jail Road May Face Temporary Closure
Traffic arrangements have also been made in West Delhi for the BJP’s padyatra. The march is scheduled to start at 11:30 am from Hari Nagar Bus Depot and conclude near Tilak Nagar Metro Station.
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Delhi BJP president, Minister of State Harsh Malhotra, Sardar HS Phoolka, Manjinder Singh Sirsa and MP Bansuri Swaraj are among those expected to take part. Members of the Sikh community are also expected to participate.
The traffic advisory for this area will remain in effect from 9 am to 3 pm.
Depending on traffic conditions, both sides of Jail Road between Lajwanti Chowk and Tilak Nagar may be closed temporarily.
Motorists travelling from Hari Nagar towards Najafgarh Road and Tilak Nagar can take the Sewa Marg route through Lajwanti Chowk, Sagarpur T-Point and Pankha Road.
Those heading towards Najafgarh Road and Rajouri Garden can use Mayapuri Road from Lajwanti Chowk.
Other stretches that may see traffic disruption include:
- Jail Road, including the flyover, between Lajwanti Chowk and Tilak Nagar
- Lal Sai Marg between Delhi Haat and Hari Nagar Road
- Roads connecting Hari Nagar, Ghanta Ghar and Hari Nagar DTC Depot
Is Delhi Metro Operating Normally On November 1?
There has been no official announcement of a complete shutdown of the Delhi Metro or widespread closure of its stations due to the two political events.
However, commuters should remain prepared for local restrictions around the rally and march locations. Pedestrian movement is largely permitted, subject to security arrangements at specific locations.
The authorities have also arranged dedicated passageways for emergency vehicles travelling towards LNJP Hospital and GB Pant Hospital.
People travelling through Central or West Delhi are advised to avoid the affected roads where possible, follow instructions issued by traffic personnel and allow additional time for their journeys.
