More than 5,000 railway passengers were reportedly unable to reach New Delhi Railway Station in time to board their trains on Thursday after traffic restrictions around central Delhi severely disrupted road access to the station.

Indian Railways officials said several passengers missed their scheduled services as roads leading towards the railway station were blocked amid heightened security and traffic curbs linked to an Opposition protest in the Rajghat area.

Among those affected were 56 students from IIT Jodhpur, who were scheduled to board the Dibrugarh Rajdhani at 4 pm but could not reach the station before the train departed.

IIT Jodhpur students among those stranded

The group of students was caught in the traffic disruption while travelling towards New Delhi Railway Station.

Railway officials said the incident was part of a wider disruption that affected thousands of passengers attempting to reach the station for their respective trains.

The restrictions caused significant delays on roads connecting central Delhi with the railway station, leaving many commuters unable to complete their journeys in time.

Traffic curbs imposed around Rajghat

The disruption followed extensive traffic restrictions in central Delhi as Opposition MPs and Congress workers gathered at Rajghat for a protest.

The restrictions affected several categories of vehicles, including buses and heavy goods vehicles, and were scheduled to remain in place until 10 pm on Thursday.

Authorities restricted traffic on routes towards NS Marg and the Red Fort from Chatta Rail. Vehicles approaching Delhi Gate from the NS Marg-Subhash T-Point were also diverted.

Traffic moving from Shanti Van Chowk towards the Ring Road and Rajghat was similarly affected.

Delhi Traffic Police advised motorists to use alternative routes and follow directions from personnel deployed at key intersections. Commuters were also asked to avoid blocking junctions and give priority to emergency vehicles.

Opposition protest triggers traffic disruption

The traffic restrictions coincided with an Opposition demonstration at Rajghat.

Opposition MPs and Congress workers moved towards the protest site after a luncheon meeting hosted by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at a restaurant in Connaught Place.

Congress leaders including Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra participated in the demonstration. Samajwadi Party MP Rajiv Rai said the Opposition leaders had gone to Rajghat to hold a peaceful sit-in.

The protest was part of the Opposition's ongoing campaign against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and its allegations concerning the electoral process.

The combination of the protest-related restrictions and the resulting road congestion disrupted access to New Delhi Railway Station, affecting thousands of passengers travelling through one of the capital's busiest railway hubs.