Puducherry Residents Demand Curb On Disruptive Roadside Political Gatherings
Puducherry is witnessing mounting frustration among its residents due to recurring political events held along key city roads, triggering severe traffic congestion and safety concerns. As political momentum builds ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, citizens are calling on local authorities to enforce long-standing regulations that prohibit rallies on main roads. Residents argue that the repeated use of public roadways for political meetings is not only illegal but also disruptive to daily life, especially during peak commuting hours for students and workers.
Over the past few weeks, arterial roads in Puducherry have been choked due to events organised by political parties and affiliated groups. Instead of using designated venues like public grounds or community halls, organisers have resorted to blocking key intersections, paralysing traffic in multiple neighbourhoods. Residents recall recent events on the Airport Road that led to hour-long detours and delays for hundreds of commuters. The lack of timely administrative action, they argue, may embolden further disregard for public inconvenience as elections near, turning roads into platforms for competitive political pageantry.Concerns are not merely about inconvenience; they also involve public safety. Parents and educators from areas near schools such as Lawspet and Cluny have voiced fears over the growing tendency to block roads lined with educational institutions. Several respondents described chaotic mornings where students were late or nearly missed critical academic sessions due to unannounced road closures.
Some party supporters even dug up pavements to install flagpoles, reducing the usable road width and creating accidental hazard zones. The situation, locals say, is breeding an environment where citizens must bear the cost of political visibility. Shop owners and local business operators have also joined the chorus of dissent. Small traders report declining footfalls during such events due to access blockages and diverted traffic. “These gatherings are not momentary disruptions—they affect livelihoods,” said one shopkeeper. The closures during office hours often result in missed appointments, delivery delays, and a general erosion of public trust in governance. Residents claim there is no transparency about permissions granted, and demand clear protocols for event approvals on public infrastructure. In a city that has made strides in promoting walkable streets, cycling infrastructure, and greener mobility, unregulated use of roadways for political activities threatens urban sustainability.
Residents are now appealing to the administration to impose clear restrictions and restore civic discipline. There is a growing demand for designated political zones, similar to those adopted in many green-certified cities, that balance democratic expression with mobility rights. Puducherry’s path to equitable urban planning must include decisive action to prevent public roads from becoming political battlegrounds. As Puducherry gears up for another electoral season, its residents are calling for a more accountable and sustainable approach to public events. The right to political expression must be balanced with the rights of ordinary citizens to travel safely and without disruption.
