No Jat protests today but police checks hit traffic across Delhi, border areas

Despite relaxing traffic restrictions in central Delhi, security pickets remained at several places. Traffic moved at snail’s pace across Delhi NCR due to security checks at border areas.

Traffic movement took a hit in Delhi on Monday morning due to security pickets across entry points to the city and many busy stretches, put up in view of the Jat protests.

Security check at Delhi-Noida border to prevent Jat protests led to traffic jam on Monday morning. (Sunil Ghosh/HT Photo)

Delhi Police on Sunday evening had relaxed all restrictions after the Jats called off their protest march to the national capital, but security arrangements at the borders remained intact.

Jams were witnessed in the Lutyens’ zone on Monday, said Garima Bhatnagar, joint CP (traffic), who attributed this to the security pickets that remain in New Delhi area.

“There will be heavy checking in New Delhi area because we do not want to take any chances. So, we would advice motorists to keep off this area unless it is unavoidable. They must plan their travel accordingly,” Bhatnagar said.

Police barricades are in place every 300-400 metres across central Delhi and border areas. The cops are not even allowing people to gather in front of roadside shops.

A large number of traffic and police personnel have also been deployed strategically in several other parts of the city, particularly near the borders. They have been asked to keep an eye out for any mischievous elements who might try to sneak into the city although the Jat agitation has been called off.

Vehicles are being checked frequently than usual and thereby traffic is slow.

“Any car with more than three people are being checked by the cops at Delhi-Noida border. Security forces donning riot gear were seen keeping strict vigil,” said a commuter from Noida.

Commuters took to Twitter to vent their frustration over the chaos.

Devesh Singh Chauhan‏ also rued about the “very heavy traffic at #dnd noida to delhi side”.

Vikas Marwah, tweeted, “#JatAgitation Delhi traffic is mess today on all entry roads and Ring Road though the agitation is postponed.”

“Kindly order Delhi Police to remove the barricades. It is chaotic all over without Any Jaat agitation,” Krish Iyer‏ tweeted.

The slow traffic added to the anxiety felt by class 12 students going to appear in their maths exam on Monday.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) on Sunday had also redacted all of the restrictions placed.

The DMRC had initially said that train services to and from all outside-Delhi stations would be suspended from 11:30 pm on Sunday until further orders. They had also said that 12 stations within the ambit of central Delhi would be shut from 8 pm on Sunday, restricting entry and exit at these stations.