Farmers' rally hits traffic in Delhi

Traffic was hit in the national capital on Wednesday due to a farmers' rally, which saw thousands of people converging at Ramlila Maidan via major arterial roads in central and Lutyens' Delhi, police said.

Organised by Left-wing farmers' and workers' outfits, the Mazdoor Kishan Sangharsh Rally, began from Ramlila Maidan and culminated on Parliament Street.

The organisers claimed nearly 1.5 lakh people from at least 23 states participated in the march, preparation for which had started several months ago.

The protest threw traffic out of gear in parts of Delhi.

Sansad Marg, Janpath and KG Marg were closed for movement of vehicles, leading to congestion on alternate routes taken by motorists, a senior police officer said.

The rally started around 9.30 am, when it was raining and ended at 4 pm, which meant that traffic was affected on roads in the national capital through the day.

Traffic was affected on Ashoka Road and Baba Kharag Singh Marg, the officer said.

Traffic diversions were put in place around Delhi Gate, Paharganj Chowk, Minto Road, Barakhamba Road, KG Marg, Janpath and Copernicus Marg.

Commuters had a tough time negotiating their way in Lutyens' Delhi. They were stuck on alternative routes like Panchkuiyan Road, Minto Road, DDU Marg, ITO, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Tolstoy Marg, etc.

Connaught Place was choked as farmers walked from Ramlila Maidan towards Parliament Street via Ranjeet Singh flyover, which led to traffic congestion on adjoining roads.