Heavy traffic congestion was reported across several parts of the national capital on Saturday, October 10, as Delhi Police stepped up security measures to prevent protesters from reaching Jantar Mantar for a demonstration organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). Barricades, vehicle checks and traffic diversions affected movement across Central Delhi and several border areas, leaving commuters struggling to reach their destinations. The protest was planned against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations concerning electoral-roll revisions and changes linked to Form 6.

Among the worst-affected areas was Baba Khadak Singh Marg, where traffic movement around the General Post Office (GPO), Ashok Road and the stretch between Pandit Pant Marg and Mahadev Road was disrupted. The Delhi Traffic Police issued an update on social media, alerting commuters to the restrictions. Congestion was also reported at Kalindi Kunj on the Noida-to-Delhi route, while Seelampur witnessed delays due to intensive security checks. Barricades and restrictions on commercial vehicles further complicated movement in several locations.

Traffic disruption extended to Delhi’s border areas, including Apsara Border in Seemapuri, where police checks resulted in long queues of vehicles. Some commuters reportedly abandoned their vehicles and continued on foot after struggling to find public transport. The restrictions affected people travelling for work and other essential purposes, with some forced to walk considerable distances to continue their journeys. The situation highlighted the wider impact of the security arrangements beyond the immediate vicinity of Jantar Mantar.

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Delhi Police officials said traffic personnel had been deployed across 30 key stretches to manage diversions and minimise inconvenience to the public. Additional Commissioner of Police Dinesh Kumar Gupta said teams were monitoring the situation and would introduce diversions wherever necessary. Joint Commissioner of Police Sanjay Kumar Tyagi also said personnel had been stationed at diversion points to guide commuters towards alternative routes. Authorities advised people to follow traffic updates and plan their journeys according to changing conditions.

The traffic restrictions coincided with preventive detentions of several CJP members and supporters ahead of the demonstration. Party founder Abhijeet Dipke, spokesperson Saurav Das and co-convener Ashutosh Ranka were detained after arriving at Delhi airport, while YouTuber Dhruv Rathee was detained at his Gurugram residence, according to reports. The CJP maintained that its campaign would continue despite the detentions. The party had called for the protest to demand accountability from the Election Commission, while police cited security and law-and-order concerns surrounding the planned gathering.

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