Delhi traffic alert today: Routes to take and avoid amid farmers' protest at Kishan Ghat — List of key routes affected

Delhi Traffic Police issued a travel advisory for Tuesday, 21 July, ahead of protest at Kishan Ghat. Traffic restrictions and diversions came into effect at 8:30 AM today as Punjab farmers are slated to stage protest against the proposed India-US trade deal.

In a post on X, Delhi Traffic Police stated, "Commuters are advised to avoid the affected routes around Satyagrah Marg, Velodrome Road, Rajghat DTC Depot Road and adjoining areas. Those travelling to the Airport or Railway Stations are requested to plan their journeys well in advance. "The authorities further urged commuters to park only at designated parking areas and use navigation apps for real-time traffic updates.

Routes to take and avoid

Vehicular movement will be diverted from the following routes:

• Delhi Gate
• Rajghat Crossing
• Guru Nanak Chowk
• Shantivan Chowk
• Rajghat DTC Depot
• IP Flyover
• Lifted of affected key routes are provided here:
• Satyagrah Marg
• Velodrome Road
• Rajghat DTC Depot Road
• Rajghat DTC Bypass Road
• Surrounding roads and adjoining stretches

The public advisory further notes:

• Commuters travelling towards the Airport, Railway Stations and adjoining areas are advised to plan their journey in advance, personnel deployed at the spot.
• Follow the directions of Traffic Police apps for real-time and, affected routes the advisory period.
• Park vehicles only at designated. parking areas.
• Avoid roadside parking as it obstructs the smooth flow of traffic.
• Use navigation traffic updates and, where possible, avoid the affected routes during the advisory period

All you need to know about farmers' protest in Delhi today

Besides Punjab, farmers from Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Odisha are also expected to join the rally. The mega rally called by the Desh Bachao Morcha will include members of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, BKU Ekta Sangharsh, Azaad Kisan Morcha and other farmer organisations.

According to protesting farmers, cheaper agricultural imports into India under the India-US trade deal agreement, would adversely affect farmers, agricultural labourers, livestock rearers, small traders and the country's agricultural economy. The farmers seek withdrawal of the proposed trade pact to safeguard the interests of farmers and the common people.

On Monday, scores of farmers assembled at Beas a day before the scheduled protest. The convoy gathered at Fatehgarh Sahib–Sirhind for the night and is expected to enter Delhi through the Shambhu border. As per media reports, around 550 farmers' unions and social organisations from across the country will participate in the demonstration.

Bharatiya Kisan Union (Charuni) chief Gurnam Singh Charuni, who was headed to Delhi for a farmers' "mahapanchayat", was detained by Haryana police in Kurukshetra. According to spokesperson of the outfit, Prince Waraich, Charuni's vehicle was intercepted by police on National Highway-152D, near Pehowa, PTI reported.

Farmers gathered at the toll plaza on the Hisar-Chandigarh stretch of the national highway in Thana village and launched a sit-in after after the news of Charuni's detention surfaced. Haryana police detained some BKU (Charuni) members in Ambala after they blocked the toll plaza and have tightened security at the Shambhu border point between Haryana and Punjab.