A series of protests linked to the upcoming local body elections brought major parts of Thiruvananthapuram city to a standstill on Wednesday, with severe traffic blockades reported from morning onward. Demonstrations were held in front of the AG’s office, the GPO and the residence of Minister Vasavan, forcing police to divert vehicles as protesters occupied key roads.

Traffic signals at several junctions were switched off as police personnel manually directed vehicles. By 11 am, major intersections — including Vazhuthacaud, Bakery, Palayam, Statue, Ayurveda College, Thampanoor and Karamana — were heavily congested. Commuters found themselves stuck in long queues, struggling to navigate the unexpected gridlock.

Most protest groups first assembled at the Martyrs’ Column in Palayam before marching towards the Secretariat, GPO and AG’s office. As blockades intensified, vehicles were diverted from Spencer Junction to Jacob’s Junction and through the district treasury road near the Press Club. Congestion worsened when traffic from Bakery and Vazhuthacaud also merged into Jacob’s Junction, causing a complete choke near the Cantonment police station.

The traffic chaos, which began around 10 am, could only be eased by afternoon. With vehicles barely moving, passengers grew increasingly impatient as they waited for hours, while exhausted police personnel struggled to keep traffic flowing.

Protests against the implementation of the new labour code were held at the GPO and AG’s office. Paramedical employees and establishment owners marched to the Secretariat, while employees of the Co-operation Department staged a protest outside Minister Vasavan’s residence. Numerous smaller demonstrations related to the issue were held at various spots across the city, adding to the overall disruption.