Delhi is gearing up for a major Opposition rally at Ramlila Maidan on Sunday, November 1 when the INDIA Bloc protests against CEC Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls. More than 4000 police personnel have been deployed, and security arrangements across the national capital have been beefed up to deal with crowds expected there.
The INDIA Bloc has said nearly 10 lakh people could come to the rally. Delhi Police officials say they expect around 50,000 people to turn up. Security agencies are taking precautions so that the gathering remains peaceful and traffic movement is not affected.
The protest is to highlight alleged electoral irregularities (names of genuine voters were deleted from electoral rolls after the SIR exercise). Opposition parties like Congress have been alleging ‘vote chori’ and demanding accountability from the Election Commission.
'Chalo Dilli' March to Precede Opposition Rally
The day’s programme starts with the ‘Chalo Dilli’ march, which will begin at noon from Minto Road-Connaught Place junction and proceed towards Ramlila Maidan where the main rally will take place.
The rally programme will begin at 10 am and end at 5 pm. The INDIA Bloc leaders are said to be travelling in open buses from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence to the starting point of the march.
Apart from senior Opposition leaders, student organisations, youth representatives and civil society groups will also participate. The INDIA Bloc has appealed to students, women, farmers and young people to join the demonstration too.
Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has appealed to people on social media to rally behind the rally. He said the protest is a movement, not an initiative of a political party.
Several student organisations have also come forward to support the rally. Cockroach Janata Party leader Abhijeet Dipke, AISA president and JNU student Neha Bora are among those expected to participate.
4,000 Police Personnel and 200 CCTV Cameras for Security
Delhi Police has taken various security measures to prevent overcrowding and maintain law and order. More than 4,000 policemen will be deployed at Ramlila Maidan and along the march route, as well as additional companies of Central Armed Police Forces.
Officials say Ramlila Maidan can accommodate 45,000 to 50,000 people when the ground is empty but its actual capacity drops to about 30,000 to 40,000 when chairs, barricades, enclosures and passageways are put in place.
The police have divided the venue into 14 security zones each under an officer of rank Assistant Commissioner of Police. Arrangements are also being made outside the venue if crowds exceed expectations.
More than 200 CCTV cameras, drones and body cameras will be used at the venue as well as on the procession route. A control room has been set up inside Ramlila Maidan to monitor security operations and crowd movement.
JUST IN | Ramlila Maidan in Delhi Turns into a Security Fortress Ahead of INDIA Bloc’s Mega Rally, Heavy Police Deployment Across the Area. Over 4,000 police personnel and CAPF companies deployed; venue divided into 14 zones. More than 200 CCTV cameras, drones, body-worn cameras and a control room will monitor crowds, entry points and the march route. https://t.co/cFYJVR8t1T
— Aditya Kumar Trivedi (@adityasvlogs) November 1, 2026
Delhi Traffic Restrictions: Roads to Avoid
The rally and march will disrupt traffic movement across central Delhi between 10 am and 5 pm on November 1. Commuters should be prepared for diversions and congestion around a number of important intersections.
Traffic restrictions and diversions are likely near ITO, Delhi Gate, Rajghat, Ajmeri Gate and Turkman Gate. The Delhi Traffic Police have advised motorists not to use Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Minto Road and Des Bandhu Gupta Road during the protest.
Special arrangements will be made for ambulances and emergency vehicles to move freely towards LNJP Hospital and GB Pant Hospital.
Passengers travelling to New Delhi Railway Station have also been asked to plan ahead and allow extra travel time.
Delhi Police said permission has been given for the rally to be held at Ramlila Maidan, but officials said they had not received any application for permission for a march through central Delhi.
Thousands of security personnel are deployed across the city, and traffic restrictions are in place as authorities gear up for a high-security day in the national capital as INDIA Bloc’s protest takes centre stage.
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