New Delhi: The Bar Council of Delhi (BCD) elections began on Saturday, drawing a large turnout of advocates to the Delhi High Court complex and leading to heavy traffic movement, particularly around India Gate and on Mathura Road. Long queues of cars lined the stretches near the high court and surrounding roads in central Delhi.Visuals from the area showed lawyers in their trademark black coats and white shirts walking in groups, while many vehicles were seen parked along the roadside, worsening the congestion. Some commuters took to social media to flag the chaos. “Massive traffic jam around India Gate, Patiala House, Hon’ble Supreme Court of India and Delhi High Court just because of the Bar Council of Delhi election,” one user posted.Anticipating a high turnout, Delhi Traffic Police has issued a detailed advisory. The polling for 25 members of the council is being held inside the high court complex from 9am to 6pm on Feb 21, 22 and 23.Shershah Road was closed from the India Gate and Mathura Road sides during the polling hours. Around 40 vehicles were towed and several challans were issued on Saturday, sources said, as police enforced no-parking norms and diversions across key junctions in the area.Several arterial roads were listed as stretches to avoid during the three-day period, including Tilak Marg, C-Hexagon near India Gate, Zakir Hussain Marg, Shershah Road and Purana Qila Road. Diversions are in place at key junctions such as Tilak Marg-Bhagwan Dass Road, Purana Qila Road-Mathura Road and Shershah Road-Mathura Road. While designated parking was arranged at the zoo parking and gate no. 5A of National Stadium, many voters parked along the roadside. “Drivers also have a responsibility to use the authorised parking areas, and we urge everyone to park only at the designated spots,” said a police officer.
