Demonstration near India Gate leads to heavy traffic jam

New Delhi, Feb 18 (PTI) Traffic movement near India Gateand other adjoining areas in central Delhi came to a virtualstandstill this evening causing inconvenience to hundreds ofmotorists, thanks to an "unauthorised" demonstration byphysiotherapists in the area.

All arterial roads leading to and from India Gate circlewere heavily congested and traffic moved at snail''s pace from5 pm till late in the evening.

Police said the demonstration by physiotherapistsdemanding a separate regulatory body for them on the line ofthe Medical Council and the Dental Council was not cleared bythem.

Traffic was also disrupted near Pandara Road on theC-hexagon which soon blocked the entire circle, and the areawitnessed heavy traffic jam.

Shahjahan Road, Tilak Marg, Purana Quila Road, ZakirHussain Marg, Pandara Road and Akbar Road were the worstaffected and traffic was affected on Mathura Road and nearMandi House.

"I was stuck in the jam for almost 45 minutes. Therewas no policemen on the street to control the traffic nearMandi House. I had to suffer a lot," Abhishek Gupta, ajournalist, said.

Delhi Traffic Police said about 500 physiotherapistsassembled and began their demonstration at 4 pm and that noprior permission was sought for the demonstration.

A senior official said it was an illegal assembly as nosuch demonstration is permitted at the India Gate.

The local police will initiate legal action againstthem, he added.