The traffic movement in parts of Delhi went into a complete tail-spin during the morning commuting hours with barricades on arterial roads.

Sweeping security arrangements put in place to prevent a march of farmers from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh to the Capital triggered traffic chaos in Delhi on Tuesday as the authorities went on overkill, enforcing prohibitory orders to restrict movement and public gatherings.

Restrictions were imposed outside at least eight metro stations with one or multiple gates shut to control the flow of passenger movement, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said citing instructions from the Delhi Police.

Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, Central Secretariat, Patel Chowk, Udyog Bhawan, Janpath, Khan Market, and Barakhamba Road metro stations were among those where some gates were shut.

Passengers said longer queues at stations triggered chaos, particularly during office hours. “Gate number six at the Barakhambha Metro Station has been shut down and barricades have been put there, but gate number five on the opposite side of the road was open. People are being asked to exit from there, but one has to invariably cross the road again and that is leading to traffic snarls as well,” said Jyoti Verma, who works in a private company at Barakhamba Road.

The traffic movement in parts of Delhi went into a complete tail-spin during the morning commuting hours with barricades on arterial roads. Traffic jams were reported at major border points with Noida and Gurugram.

The traffic movement also slowed down in central Delhi with pickets clogging it near Golf Links, Archbishop Makarios Marg, ITO, Barakhamba Road, Africa Avenue, and Vinay Marg among other sites.

Commuters took to social media to complain about the disproportionate measures put in place. Vinod Kabdi, a commuter posted: “If you are in Delhi NCR and stuck in Traffic, Open your Eyes and look around. You won’t see farmers blocking the road. You will see police blocking the road.”

Delhi Police installed barricades at the Singhu flyover from the Kundli side allowing one lane on both carriageways for traffic movement. “It is just enough for one vehicle to cross. As of now, the flyover is open on both carriageways for one vehicle at a time to pass but if and when the protestors reach, a decision will be taken in real time,” a traffic police officer said.