New Delhi: Security arrangements will remain heightened across central Delhi on Monday as Opposition parties prepare to march from Connaught Place towards the Supreme Court over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and to demand action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Traffic restrictions, diversions and barricades are expected to affect several key roads in the national capital, with authorities set to regulate movement depending on the situation on the ground.
TOP UPDATES
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- Traffic restrictions from 6 am: The Delhi Traffic Police has warned of disruptions across New Delhi and central Delhi, identifying 30 points where restrictions or diversions may be imposed.
- Key roads likely to be affected: Dhaula Kuan flyover, Mandi House, Jhandewalan, Panchkuian, Connaught Place, Patel Chowk, Lodhi Road flyover, Bhikaji Cama Place, Moti Bagh flyover, Ashoka Road, Jantar Mantar Road, Sansad Marg and Tolstoy Marg are among the stretches to watch.
- Commuters advised to plan ahead: Travellers heading to railway stations, inter-state bus terminals and the airport have been asked to allow extra time and avoid unnecessary journeys through central Delhi.
- Jantar Mantar remains under security watch: Barricades continued to block access roads to the designated protest site on Sunday, with police personnel deployed at key intersections.
#WATCH | Delhi: Visuals from Jantar Mantar ahead of the INDIA bloc’s protest scheduled for today in Delhi. https://t.co/UROVmRxA9m
— ANI (@ANI) October 12, 2026
- Large-scale deployment follows Saturday’s crackdown: More than 7,000 people were detained during a security operation involving around 41,000 Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces personnel across the Capital, according to the supplied information.
- Metro status remains unclear: Delhi Metro services operated on Sunday, but no official announcement on possible restrictions for Monday was available by Sunday evening. Forty-five stations had been shut on Saturday.
- Offices expected to remain open: No general holiday has been announced. Employees travelling to offices in and around Lutyens’ Delhi could face congestion, diversions and delays.
Traffic restrictions and diversions
The Delhi Traffic Police issued an advisory late Sunday, warning that traffic movement could be affected across several parts of New Delhi and central Delhi from 6 a.m. Monday.
The restrictions will depend on the assessment of the situation and the movement of protesters, an officer said.
Among the major stretches likely to experience disruptions are Connaught Place, Ashoka Road, Sansad Marg, Tolstoy Marg, Jantar Mantar Road, Mandi House, Patel Chowk and Dhaula Kuan flyover. Other identified locations include Jhandewalan, Panchkuian, Lodhi Road flyover, Bhikaji Cama Place and Moti Bagh flyover.
Commuters have been advised to plan their journeys in advance and avoid nonessential travel through affected areas. Those travelling to railway stations, inter-state bus terminals and the airport have been urged to account for possible delays.
Security remains tight across central Delhi
Security arrangements remained in place across the New Delhi district on Sunday, with Jantar Mantar and its approach roads barricaded to prevent protesters from assembling at the site.
The district continued to be divided into 20 security zones, each headed by an officer of deputy commissioner of police rank. Barricades remained at 37 identified locations to restrict movement into sensitive areas.
The deployment follows Saturday’s crackdown, when authorities moved to prevent a planned gathering at Jantar Mantar. Around 41,000 Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces personnel were deployed across the national capital, while more than 7,000 people were detained, according to the supplied account.
Four former chief ministers and leaders associated with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a satirical political movement, were among those detained.
CJP leaders seek permission for protest
CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said he, Saurav Das and Ranta Singh would approach Parliament Street Police Station to seek permission to hold a daylong protest.
The Congress, meanwhile, announced plans to participate in a march on Monday afternoon. The proposed demonstration is linked to the Opposition’s wider campaign against alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and its demand for accountability from the Election Commission.
Metro services and office commute
Delhi Metro services continued operating on Sunday. However, no official confirmation was available by Sunday evening on whether services would be curtailed or stations closed on Monday.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation had shut 45 stations on Saturday amid heightened security arrangements.
Government and private offices are scheduled to function as usual on Monday, with no general holiday announced. However, commuters travelling through Lutyens’ Delhi and nearby areas may face delays if police extend restrictions along the proposed march route.
Authorities are expected to adjust traffic arrangements according to crowd movement and security requirements.
Commuters should check the latest Delhi Traffic Police and Delhi Metro advisories before travelling through central Delhi on Monday.
