5,000 miss trains as INDIA bloc protest chokes routes to New Delhi railway station

More than 5,000 passengers were unable to board their trains after access roads to New Delhi Railway Station were completely blocked amid traffic restrictions in central Delhi on Thursday, according to Indian Railways officials. Among those affected was a group of 56 students from IIT Jodhpur, who missed the Dibrugarh Rajdhani scheduled to depart at 4 pm.The disruption came as Opposition MPs and Congress workers gathered at Rajghat for a protest after a luncheon meeting hosted by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at Moets in Connaught Place. The restaurant is located on the outer circle of Connaught Place.The road restrictions around Rajghat and Connaught Place affected movement towards New Delhi Railway Station, leaving thousands of passengers unable to reach the station in time for their trains.IIT JODHPUR STUDENTS MISS DIBRUGARH RAJDHANIA group of 56 students from IIT Jodhpur was among those caught in the disruption. The students were scheduled to board the Dibrugarh Rajdhani at 4 pm but could not reach the station because of the blockade. According to Indian Railways officials, the wider disruption affected more than 5,000 passengers who were unable to board their respective trains.TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS AROUND RAJGHATTraffic restrictions were imposed around Rajghat amid the ongoing Opposition protest, with buses, including DTC services, and heavy goods vehicles affected until 10 pm on October 8. Movement towards NS Marg and the Red Fort was restricted from Chatta Rail. Vehicles at the NS Marg–Subhash T-Point were also not allowed to proceed towards Delhi Gate.Traffic movement from Shanti Van Chowk towards Ring Road and Rajghat was restricted as well. Drivers of affected vehicles were advised to take alternative routes and follow diversions indicated by traffic personnel.Commuters were urged to keep intersections clear, cooperate with authorities and give way to emergency vehicles to minimise congestion.OPPOSITION PROTEST AT RAJGHATThe traffic restrictions came as Opposition MPs and Congress workers reached Rajghat after the luncheon meeting in Connaught Place as part of their ongoing protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar.Leaders including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra joined the demonstration. Samajwadi Party MP Rajiv Rai said MPs had proceeded to Rajghat for a peaceful sit-in.- Ends