Delhi-Noida borders tightened ahead of CJP protest, commuters fear traffic snarls

Police and BSF have tightened security at Delhi-Noida border points ahead of Saturday's Cockroach Janata Party protest. The build-up has sparked commuter anxiety, political allegations and questions over possible movement curbs.Security checks have been stepped up and additional police personnel and other security forces, including the Border Security Force, have been deployed at Noida’s borders with Delhi. (Photo: Umesh Mishra/ITG)New Delhi,Oct 10, 2026 01:51 ISTSecurity has been stepped up at the Delhi-Noida borders ahead of a protest called by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) in the national capital on Saturday, with police personnel and Border Security Force (BSF) jawans deployed at key points. The protest has been called to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of irregularities in election-related processes.The arrangements have also triggered concern among people travelling from Noida and Greater Noida to Delhi and Gurugram for work. Many fear traffic congestion, diversions and delays, while some said they may seek leave or work from home if their usual travel plans are affected.At the Chilla border, personnel from the Noida and Delhi police, along with BSF jawans, have been deployed as part of the heightened security arrangements. Officials said police teams have started checking vehicles considered suspicious and questioning people wherever necessary. Security personnel are also closely monitoring buses, taxis and private cars entering Delhi from Noida, and vehicles are being stopped for checks to prevent any untoward incident during the protest. Reinforced concrete barriers have also been placed at the border.Sources said police could move to seal the border around 9 pm on Friday, though there was no immediate official confirmation. At the same time, several social organisations, members of farmers' unions and leaders of some political parties in Noida alleged that police had placed them under house arrest ahead of the protest. "I have security personnel from police and other forces at my home and around it, and I am not allowed to go out. My associates, who are farmers' rights activists, also informed me about a similar situation with them. I wish to participate in the protest in Delhi tomorrow along with fellow farmers," Sukhveer Khalifa, president of Bhartiya Kisan Parishad, told PTI over the phone. There was no official response to these allegations, and phone calls to senior officials remained unanswered.Commuters said they were worried about how they would travel on Saturday. Gopal Rajput, 28, a translator at a private hospital in Delhi and a resident of Greater Noida, said, "I have no idea how I will reach my office tomorrow in Saket. There will be no Metro service, and it would be too costly to book a private cab." He said security checks could take additional time and add to traffic congestion. Ranjan Bhardwaj, a resident of Noida's Sector 58 who works at an IT company in Gurugram, said, "I will go by my car, but I have doubts whether I will reach the office on time. Maybe I will not reach, because there will be diversions and traffic-related issues due to the proposed protest." He added, "Usually I go by Metro, but due to tomorrow's protest, I would have to go by car." Another resident said, "I rely on the Metro; it will be difficult for me to reach Gurugram by cab. I would ask my boss to allow me to work from home for tomorrow."However, an official of the Gautam Buddh Nagar Traffic Police said there would be no restrictions on the movement of daily commuters. The Noida Metro Rail Corporation also said its services would run as usual on Saturday under the regular weekend timetable. "There will be no change in Noida Metro operations. Passenger services will continue on Saturday as per the usual Saturday schedule," an NMRC spokesperson told PTI on Friday. The clarification came after directions were issued to keep several Delhi Metro stations closed during the protest. Delhi Metro's network extends into Noida, leading to concern over possible disruption, while the NMRC line runs between Noida and Greater Noida and does not enter Delhi.Overall, security has been tightened at the Delhi-Noida borders ahead of Saturday's protest, even as questions remain over possible restrictions and allegations of house arrest. For commuters, the main concern is whether checks, diversions and uncertainty around transport will affect travel to Delhi and Gurugram.- EndsWith inputs from PTI