A constable tries to manage traffic at Beer Chand Patel Marg on Friday. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

The closure of the R-Block gate on Friday after protesters tried to proceed towards the Assembly left commuters stranded.

The gate closure virtually paralysed the city. Major roads were choked till late afternoon.

Commuters had a tough time negotiating the traffic. Several private and government officials reached office late.

The Telegraph in its February 18 edition had highlighted the traffic perils residents undergo once the gate is closed to prevent agitators from walking up to the Assembly when it is in session.

On Friday, the gate was shut from 9.45am because of protests near the Assembly. The administration did not want a rerun of Thursday’s security breach by Bihar Rajya Anganwadi Karamchari members.

“I started for office from Boring Road around 10.30am. My office is on Frazer Road, around 4km away. I reached office around 12noon. All roads, including the Income Tax roundabout, Kotwali T Junction and the Dakbungalow roundabout, were clogged,” said Mantosh Singh, an employee of a private firm.

The official vehicle of the Darbhanga district magistrate was stranded on Beer Chand Patel Marg. A few cops were seen trying to ease the congestion, but in vain.

“We cannot do it. The traffic is very heavy,” two constables were heard saying.

The cops had an explanation. “The budget session is in progress. On Thursday, some protesters managed to reach the Assembly gate. Police personnel are asking motorists to take detours. Today (Friday) the situation got out of control. But we are trying to control the chaos,” a traffic police officer said.