Delhi Police to beef up security ahead of CJP’s protest. Ola, will Uber taxis face restrictions? | Today’s news
Police are coordinating with cab aggregators such as Ola and Uber to regulate movement into Lutyens’ Delhi ahead of the proposed Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar on Saturday, October 10, The Indian Express reported.
As the New Delhi neighborhood is expected to turn into a heavily secured zone, police are preparing to restrict entry to roads leading to the area. Taxi drivers are also sensitive about the restrictions, the news outlet said.
Delhi Police has beefed up security ahead of a protest being held to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
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The Delhi Police said it is coordinating with Ola and Uber to regulate the movement of taxis into Lutyens’ Delhi and inform the operators of the restrictions. Roads leading into the New Delhi district may have limited access; the article does not announce a blanket ban on taxis.
The Cockroach Janta Party has proposed a demonstration to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. It cited alleged irregularities in a special intensive review of electoral rolls, including claims relating to electoral rolls and Form 6.
Police said the request was made only three days before the proposed event, although rules require a request at least 10 days in advance. They also cited alleged non-compliance of instructions during an earlier protest.
Entry and exit gates at 45 metro stations will be closed, while interchange facilities will remain available at affected stations except New Delhi. The restriction refers to access to the station and does not mean the closure of the entire metro network.
The Delhi Traffic Police has warned of possible diversions at 30 locations depending on conditions. Commuters can check its official website and social media for updates or call 1095 or 011-25844444.
Security measures include deployment of 25,000 police and paramilitary personnel, closure of entry and exit gates at 45 metro stations, increased surveillance at Delhi’s borders and temporary suspension of mobile internet services within a 4 km radius of Jantar Mantar.
Police refused permission for the proposed demonstration, citing the event’s short notice and alleged violations of rules and guidelines during an earlier protest.
Delhi Traffic Police issues advisory for 30 posts
On October 10, the Delhi Traffic Police warned of possible disruptions and diversions at 30 locations across the capital. According to the advisory, traffic diversions will be enforced starting at 6 a.m. depending on the prevailing situation.
Commuters have been advised to plan their journeys in advance, allow for extended travel time and avoid non-essential travel, especially when heading to railway stations, Inter-State Bus Terminals (ISBTs) and airports via New Delhi and Central Delhi.
Places likely to be affected include Shankar Road-Vande Mataram ‘T’ Point, Dhaula Kuan Flyover, Jhandewalan, Panchkuian, Mandi House, Minto Road-Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, Guru Nanak Chowk, Connaught Place and Jantar Mantar Road.
Other locations include Lodhi Road Flyover, Neela Gumbad, Samrat Hotel Roundabout, Sardar Patel Marg-Panchsheel Marg Crossing, Bhikaji Cama Place, Moti Bagh Flyover, Windsor Palace Roundabout, Rail Bhawan Roundabout, Patel Chowk Roundabout and RML Hospital.
Police said traffic control measures would remain dynamic and could be eased or tightened based on real-time assessments.
Commuters can check the Delhi Traffic Police official website and social media platforms for updates and alternative routes. The numbers for the transport helpline are 1095 and 011-25844444.
45 metro stations will remain closed
Entry and exit gates at 45 Delhi Metro stations will remain closed from 9:00 PM on Friday, October 9 until further notice. The restrictions will continue on Saturday, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said.
The affected stations include Rajiv Chowk, New Delhi, Central Secretariat, Patel Chowk, Kashmir Gate, Janpath, Mandi House, Barakhamba Road, Supreme Court, Indraprastha, ITO, Delhi Gate, Khan Market, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Hauz Khas and INA.
Other stations on the list include Shaheen Bagh, Jamia Millia Islamia, Okhla Vihar, Kalindi Kunj, Lajpat Nagar, Ashram, Sarai Kale Khan-Nizamuddin, Welcome, Shahdara, Rithala, Rohini, Azadpur and Shivaji Stadium.
According to DMRC, interchange facilities will remain available at the affected stations, except at the New Delhi Metro station.
It was previously reported that the list of stations to be closed included 57 stations, before the number was revised to 45.
The restrictions could affect office-goers, students, shoppers and other commuters who depend on the metro for their daily commute.
Mobile internet suspended near Jantar Mantar
Mobile internet services will be suspended within a 4 km radius of Jantar Mantar from 10 pm on October 9 to 10 pm on October 10, sources said. The Ministry of the Interior approved the decision, they added.
The suspension will apply to mobile internet services in the designated area, while internet services in the rest of Delhi will remain unaffected, according to sources.
The New Delhi district has been divided into 20 zones to enhance security and maintain law and order. Each zone will be monitored by a Joint Commissioner of Police, a Deputy Commissioner of Police and an Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police.
Special Commissioners of Police headed by various units will also monitor the zones and coordinate with senior officers to respond to any law and order situation.
More than 120 companies of the Central Armed Police Force are expected to be involved in the security arrangements. Delhi Police also conducted mock drills at several locations.
Liquor shops in Delhi have been ordered to remain closed on October 9 and 10 as a precautionary measure.
Read also | CJP protest October 10: Complete list of Delhi Metro stations closed
Police refused permission for CJP’s protest
At a press conference on Friday, Joint Commissioner of Police Nupur Prasad said permission for the proposed October 10 demonstration had been rejected.
She said the request was made on October 7, just three days before the scheduled rally, while rules require the request to be made at least 10 days in advance.
Police have also raised concerns about compliance with guidelines issued by authorities during the party’s July demonstration.
The CJP proposed to protest at Jantar Mantar over the alleged irregularities in the electoral rolls. The party demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and opposed the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Kumar faces charges of tampering with the electoral roll in the SIR exercise and of bypassing his two colleagues to alter Form 6, a key document used to register as a voter.
The security measures are aimed at preventing protesters from holding an unauthorized sit-in at Jantar Mantar and preventing large groups from converging at sensitive locations.
Railway stations, airports and borders of Delhi under surveillance
Rail traffic could be affected on Saturday as well, with several trains scheduled to arrive or depart from New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations between 4 am and 2 pm reportedly cancelled.
Police have stepped up checks at railway stations, bus terminals, hotels, lodges, guesthouses and dharamsalas as part of a preventive security exercise.
Delhi borders will face heightened security, with additional security cameras installed at several locations. Bus terminals will also see heightened vigilance, with staff monitoring passengers and vehicles arriving from neighboring states.
Approach roads to airports are expected to remain under increased security with additional checks and surveillance. Travelers have been advised to plan their journeys to account for possible traffic jams and delays.
Read also | ‘Almost locked’: Dhruv Rathee arrives in Delhi ahead of CJP protest Alert
