Fri Jul 18 01:21:48 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:
**Pondicherry Residents Decry Political Rallies Causing Traffic Chaos Ahead of 2026 Elections**
**Puducherry, July 18, 2025** – Residents of Puducherry are expressing growing frustration with the increasing frequency of political rallies and protests that are causing significant traffic disruptions across the city. With the 2026 Assembly elections on the horizon, political activity is intensifying, leading to roadblocks and diversions that are impacting daily commutes for students, office workers, and other residents.
Citizens report that political parties are increasingly abandoning designated meeting areas in favor of main roads, creating bottlenecks and forcing commuters to take circuitous routes. Recent incidents, including birthday celebrations for a Youth Congress leader and an induction ceremony for a new member of the All India N R Congress, brought traffic on Airport Road to a standstill.
“On Monday, the entire road was blocked for two hours for the political event,” stated Ravikumar, a resident affected by a recent road closure.
Residents highlight that these disruptions are particularly problematic during peak hours and near schools and colleges, with one resident noting a recent induction ceremony on a stretch lined with educational facilities caused severe delays. Concerns have also been raised about safety issues, with one resident pointing out that supporters are digging holes to plant party flags in the road, further constricting traffic and creating potential hazards.
Citizens are urging the administration to take immediate action to enforce regulations that restrict meetings to designated areas and prevent political events from disrupting traffic flow. They fear that if the administration fails to intervene, the situation will worsen in the lead-up to the 2026 elections, further disrupting the lives of Puducherry residents.
First Piper 