Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 8: More than 5,000 passengers missed their trains after they were unable to reach New Delhi Railway Station on time due to traffic congestion triggered by the Opposition's protest led by the Congress on Thursday, railway sources said.
The affected passengers reportedly included those booked on the Dibrugarh Rajdhani, Mumbai Rajdhani, Vande Bharat and some local trains. Some Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) group bookings were also reportedly cancelled.
Traffic remained disrupted on several major routes in and around New Delhi after noon. Minto Bridge, a key route leading to New Delhi Railway Station, was reportedly affected after a convoy carrying Opposition MPs passed through the area. The route remained disrupted and closed for around three hours, causing severe congestion and delays for passengers travelling to the railway station.
The INDIA bloc leaders, including Congress president and Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, continued their protest for the third consecutive day, demanding the resignation and removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The Opposition has accused the Election Commission of India of electoral manipulation and alleged that it is acting at the behest of the government.
The MPs travelled by buses towards Raj Ghat, where they planned to hold a sit-in protest. The movement of their convoy led to the closure of several roads, resulting in significant traffic congestion and delays for commuters, including those heading towards the railway station.
Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Mallikarjun Kharge and other Opposition leaders first had lunch in Connaught Place before proceeding towards Raj Ghat.
At Mahatma Gandhi's memorial, the INDIA bloc leaders offered prayers, seeking "wisdom to the BJP government and the chief election commissioner". They also paid floral tributes before staging a peaceful protest at the site.
Several Opposition leaders later said they would continue their agitation until CEC Gyanesh Kumar resigns, although they did not disclose their further strategy. The leaders are expected to continue their protest on Friday and are likely to meet at Parliament House in the morning.
On Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi staged an eight-hour sit-in inside the Akashvani Bhawan complex. On Wednesday, Opposition leaders staged a protest at a roundabout near the Shangri-La hotel in central Delhi after police stopped them from proceeding towards Jantar Mantar. The leaders were subsequently removed and detained.