Traffic congestion at Ghazipur border as Cong workers protest

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 4

Commuters faced hours of chaos at the Ghazipur border on Wednesday morning as Congress workers, defying heavy barricading, gathered in large numbers to support Rahul Gandhi’s planned visit to Sambhal.

The demonstration caused massive traffic congestion on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, leaving motorists stranded and frustrated. The traffic jam disrupted the morning commute for people with vehicles stuck in gridlock for extended periods.

Only the carriageway from Uttar Pradesh to Delhi remained partially open, but traffic moved at a snail’s pace. Ashish Saxena, a Noida resident, said, “I was returning from the railway station and found myself in this traffic jam. If I had known about this, I would have taken an alternate route to get home.”

Congress’ youth wing members raised slogans and waved party flags as police prevented a delegation of Congress leaders led by Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, at the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border. A scuffle reportedly broke out between Congress workers and some commuters near the barricades. “We had inputs about the gathering on the highway. We deployed security personnel to prevent any untoward incident,” said a UP police official. Ghaziabad Police Commissioner Ajay Kumar Mishra said, “We will not permit Rahul Gandhi to enter Sambhal as prohibitory orders have been issued by the administration there. Police will stop Gandhi at UP Gate.”

A delegation of Congress leaders led by Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, was stopped by the Uttar Pradesh Police at the Delhi-Uttar Pradesh border.

Gandhi was en route to Sambhal, where prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) are in effect until December 31 due to escalating tensions.