Traffic snarls choke major intersections

The national capital reeled under massive traffic jams as hundreds of students from DU and JNU jointly staged a protest outside the Delhi police headquarters, near ITO, seeking action against assault by Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) members.

The protests continued for over four hours after students arrived at ITO. The protesting students were pressing for their demands on action against the ABVP members. However, no agreement has been reached so far with the police.

Major intersections like Laxmi Nagar, ITO, Akshardham Temple road witnessed almost bumper to bumper traffic and long tailbacks, a senior traffic police official said. The traffic situation in Central Delhi was severely affected as people witnessed massive traffic jams around India Gate, Janpath and Mathura Road.

The students sat outside the ITO Metro station and blocked the road, affecting traffic along the entire stretch. Later, they met a senior officer who assured them that the matter was being probed on a “highpriority” basis.

“The protest severely affected the traffic coming from New Delhi area towards East Delhi. We had to divert the traffic towards Delhi Gate. With Bhairon Road being choked, commuters had to face a lot of troubled,” a senior police officer said.

A police officer said they are expecting a gridlock in Central Delhi due to the protest as well as festivities.