As Narendra Modi comes calling, Varanasi comes to a halt

Varanasi reeled under massive traffic snarls today due to Narendra Modi's massive road show in the heart of the city causing inconvenience to a large number of commuters Police had put barricade in almost all arterial roads to ensure fool-proof security to Modi, who filed his nomination today.

Vehicular movement on major roads was not allowed and motorists had to wait for long hours to cross major intersections in the city. Even on roads which were open, there were huge traffic jams. "I could not reach my school as there was huge traffic jams at Lahurabeer," said Rajiv Kesri, a 12th standard student at a city school. Some schools around Modi's road show route were closed as authorities felt students will not be able to come due to vehicular restrictions.

In some areas, traders shut their shops to attend Modi's rally. Prayer meetings and 'hawans' were also organised in some areas for Modi's victory in the constituency causing traffic snarls. "The city virtually came to a halt because of Modi's road show," said Govardhan Rai, a Paan shop owner. Modi held a massive road show before filing his nomination for the May 12 contest in which AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal is also in the fray.

Kejriwal slammed the local administration for "closing the city" for just "one man".