Mohali: Key arterial corridors in Mohali and adjoining Kharar town came to a standstill around 10am on Thursday as supporters of slain anti-drug activist Parminder Singh Jhota staged coordinated road blockades.
The disruption followed a deceptively normal start to the day, with Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) buses and auto-rickshaws running their usual morning routes until traffic ground to a halt around 10am. As protests intensified through the day, demonstrators put up barricades across several vital intersections. The sudden closures hit morning commuters hard, particularly office-goers who had travelled into work early and found themselves unable to secure return transport. In addition to vehicular blockades, markets across Mohali, Kharar, Kurali, and New Chandigarh were forced to shut down. Frustrated motorists directed their anger at police deployment along affected stretches.
Drivers alleged that police personnel stationed barely 100 metres ahead of closures failed to warn approaching traffic, causing traffic jams and forcing driver turnarounds onto overburdened side routes.
Police said following reports of localised disruptions, personnel were being redistributed to manage traffic flow and maintain public order.
