Over 5,000 passengers missed trains in Delhi as Opposition protest snarled traffic, railway sources say

Minto Bridge, a key route to New Delhi Railway Station, was reportedly closed for about three hours

October 9, 2026

A convoy of INDIA bloc MPs heading to Raj Ghat shut Minto Bridge for about three hours, leaving train passengers stranded. Here’s what happened on day three of the protest

Three Hours of Traffic Chaos: Railway Sources Say 5,000+ Missed Trains in Delhi

More than 5,000 people missed their trains in Delhi on Thursday because they couldn’t get to the railway station in time, railway sources said. The jam followed a protest led by the Congress and other Opposition parties, which tied up roads in New Delhi and nearby areas.

According to the sources, those affected included passengers booked on the Dibrugarh Rajdhani, the Mumbai Rajdhani, Vande Bharat services and a few local trains. Some IRCTC group bookings were also reportedly cancelled.

Three hours of gridlock

Traffic on several major routes around New Delhi was disrupted from about noon, the sources said. Minto Bridge, a key approach to New Delhi Railway Station, was hit hard after a convoy of Opposition MPs went through. The road was reportedly shut for roughly three hours, leaving commuters stuck in heavy congestion on their way to the station.

The MPs had boarded buses to head to Raj Ghat, where they planned a sit-in. The convoy’s movement led to several road closures, which meant long delays for people trying to catch their trains.

Third day of protest

Thursday was the third straight day of protest by INDIA bloc leaders. Congress president and Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were among those taking part. They are demanding that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resign or be removed.

The Opposition accuses the Election Commission of India of manipulating elections and of acting at the government’s behest.

Before heading to Raj Ghat, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Kharge and other leaders had lunch in Connaught Place. At the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, they offered prayers and floral tributes, asking for “wisdom” for the BJP government and the chief election commissioner, and then held a peaceful protest.

Several leaders said the agitation will go on until Kumar steps down, though they did not reveal their next steps. They are expected to carry on with the protest on Friday and are likely to meet at Parliament House in the morning.

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