Protest held near the Akshardham temple led to Heavy traffic jam
New Delhi: On Monday, BJP workers in Delhi staged a "chakka jam" protest against the Kejriwal’s government new excise policy and blocked roads at different locations in the national capital, leading to heavy traffic at ITO, near the Akshardham temple and on the Ring Road.
Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia said BJP leaders are "rattled" as the new excise policy aims to stop the illegal liquor sale.
The protest near the Akshardham temple was led by Delhi BJP president Adesh Gupta.
Mr Gupta said, "The Delhi government is opening liquor shops illegally under its new policy. Shops are being opened in residential and religious places which will not be accepted. Our protest will continue until the policy is rolled back."
At ITO, Senior Delhi BJP leader Kuljeet Chahal led the protest.
Manish Sisodia said BJP leaders are "rattled" with the new excise policy as our government has "stopped the Liquor theft" of ? 3,500 crore (that was coming through illegal sale of liquor).
The deputy chief minister tweeted in Hindi, "Now this money is going to the government to carry out public welfare work. Earlier, this money used to go to BJP leaders and the liquor mafia."
Key roads that were affected by the protest were, Vikas Marg from Laxmi Nagar to ITO, the road near Akshardham temple, NH 24, Noida-Delhi Link Road, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg and the Signature Bridge road.
Due to Heavy traffic People turned to Delhi Metro to avoid the roads, which led to a huge rush at the metro stations too in the morning office hours.
No autorickshaws or cabs were available and there were huge queues outside the metro stations.
The traffic police, however, maintained that the congestion was cleared from important stretches.
The "chakka jam" protest is being conducted at 15 locations, including near the Akshardham flyover, at the Car Bazar at Vikas Marg, NH-24, Dayaram Chowk, ITO, Ring Road, near the Signature Bridge and Civil Lines.
The protesters raised several slogans against the city government and its new excise policy.
They also made repeated announcements that all emergency vehicles should be given way and no damage should be caused to public property.
Under the new excise policy, 849 liquor vends are being opened across the city. The policy was implemented in the city from November 17, 2021.
The Brief. Sign up to receive the top stories you need to know right now.