Delhi: Massive traffic jams due to JNU students’ protest, Dhanteras

The national capital reeled under massive traffic jams because of JNU students' protest outside the police headquarters over a student, Najeeb Ahmed, missing for the last 14 days, and a large number of shoppers on the occasion of Dhanteras.

Major intersections like Dhaula Kuan, Mahipalpur, Badarpur, Mukarba Chowk, 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 bumper to bumper traffic around India Gate, Janpath and Mathura Road.

It was further affected with close to 40 students protesting outside the Police Headquarters over their "inability" to trace the missing student.

The students sat outside the ITO Metro station and blocked the road, affecting traffic on the stretch. Later they met a senior officer who assured them that the matter is "high-priority" for them.

"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 troubled time," 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.

Roads leading to markets like Chandni Chowk, Karol Bagh, Lajpat Nagar witnessed jams as these markets are bustling with Dhanteras shoppers.

Traffic movement was also affected between Kamal T Point and Liberty Cinema, Panchsheel and Munirka and on the road towards Tilak Bridge since three DTC buses broke-down on these stretches.