Delhi is set for major traffic restrictions as the national capital prepares to host the BRICS Summit on September 12 and 13. With several foreign leaders expected to arrive in the city, the Delhi Traffic Police has announced extensive diversions and movement controls from September 11 to 13.
The main summit venue will be Bharat Mandapam at Pragati Maidan. Traffic authorities have urged commuters to check their routes before leaving home, allow extra travel time and use the Metro wherever possible.
Special traffic arrangements will begin on September 11, including restrictions during the afternoon and evening. More than 20 diversion points have been identified, while several major roads across central, south and New Delhi are expected to experience controlled movement.
Major roads likely to face restrictions
Traffic movement may be affected on important roads including Sardar Patel Marg, Mother Teresa Crescent, Teen Murti Marg, Akbar Road, 30 January Marg, Rajesh Pilot Marg, Subramania Bharati Marg, Mathura Road, Motilal Nehru Marg, Dr Zakir Hussain Road, Africa Avenue, Satya Marg, Shanti Path, Janpath, Ashoka Road, Barakhamba Road, Tolstoy Marg, Ranjit Singh Flyover, Niti Marg, Panchsheel Marg, Kamal Ataturk Marg, APJ Abdul Kalam Road, Press Enclave Road, Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, Joseph Tito Marg and Lala Lajpat Rai Marg.
Motorists travelling towards central Delhi, Connaught Place, Pragati Maidan and areas around diplomatic and government establishments should expect additional checks and diversions.
Key diversion points
At Dr Dinesh Nandini Dalmia Chowk, also known as W-Point, movement towards Mathura Road and Tilak Marg will be restricted. Vehicles travelling from east and south Delhi can use BSZ Marg and IP Marg, while commuters heading towards central, north or west Delhi can take the Delhi Gate route.
At Ram Charan Aggarwal Chowk, commercial vehicles heading towards W-Point will face restrictions. Alternative routes include IP Marg, DDU Marg and BSZ Marg.
Traffic movement will also be restricted around Meer Dard Chowk, where Maharaja Ranjit Singh Marg will be closed. Commuters can use Meer Dard Marg, Abdul Gaffar Marg and DDU Marg instead.
Restrictions are also planned around Connaught Place. Access towards the C-Hexagon and Outer Circle from Kasturba Gandhi Marg will be controlled. Janpath traffic heading towards the C-Hexagon will also be restricted.
At Patel Chowk, movement towards Windsor Place and Parliament Street from the affected direction will be stopped. Commuters can use Ashoka Road towards GPO or Parliament Street towards Connaught Place.
Traffic restrictions will also be imposed near RML Hospital, where Mother Teresa Crescent and Talkatora Road will be affected. Alternative routes include Sheikh Mujib-ur-Rahman Road and Baba Kharak Singh Marg.
South Delhi and airport routes
Several restrictions are planned across south Delhi, including areas around Dhaula Kuan, Moti Bagh, Africa Avenue, Aurobindo Marg and Lodhi Road.
At Dhaula Kuan Flyover, movement towards Sardar Patel Marg will be restricted. Commuters can use the Ring Road, Vande Mataram Marg or NH-48/Gurgaon Road.
Traffic towards Shanti Path from Moti Bagh Flyover will also be restricted, with Ring Road and Rao Tula Ram Marg available as alternatives.
Africa Avenue movement near Brigadier Hoshiar Singh Marg will be controlled, while commuters can use Brigadier Hoshiar Singh Marg or the Africa Avenue route towards Bhikaji Cama Flyover.
Restrictions are also expected at several Lodhi Road intersections, including those connecting Amrita Sher-Gil Marg, Max Mueller Marg, Maharishi Raman Marg and Archbishop Makarios Marg.
Restrictions near Bharat Mandapam
Traffic approaching Bharat Mandapam from Mathura Road will face restrictions near the Lodhi Flyover. Alternative routes include Lodhi Road towards Neela Gumbad, Barapullah Flyover and the Lala Lajpat Rai Marg side.
At Neela Gumbad, movement towards Oberoi Flyover and Dr Zakir Hussain Road will be restricted. Vehicles can instead use Mathura Road towards Ashram Chowk or Lodhi Road.
Traffic movement on Mathura Road near Oberoi Flyover will also be controlled, although vehicles associated with the Oberoi Hotel and Golf Link will be permitted as per the arrangements.
The U-turn near DPS Mathura Road will also have restrictions for vehicles heading towards Bharat Mandapam.
At Ring Road near Bhairon Road, entry towards Bhairon Marg will be restricted. Motorists can use the Ring Road through Sarai Kale Khan or the Rajghat side.
Traffic around Mandi House will also be affected, with restrictions on Ferozeshah Road, Bhagwan Das Road and Copernicus Marg. Barakhamba Road and Sikandra Road can be used as alternatives.
Railway station travel advisory
Passengers travelling to railway stations have been advised to plan their journeys carefully and leave well in advance.
For New Delhi Railway Station, possible routes include the Kashmere Gate ISBT-Boulevard Road-Rani Jhansi Marg-D.B.G. Road-Panchkuian Road corridor, as well as routes through Ashram Chowk, Ring Road, Rajghat and JLN Marg.
Passengers travelling to Old Delhi Railway Station can use routes through Kashmere Gate, Ring Road and S.P. Mukherjee Marg. Another option is to travel via Vande Mataram Marg, Dr Ambedkar Marg, Rani Jhansi Flyover and Boulevard Road.
For Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station, commuters from south Delhi can travel through AIIMS, Ring Road, Ashram Chowk and Mathura Road. An alternative route is available from Kashmere Gate through Ring Road, Rajghat and Ashram Chowk.
Airport passengers advised to use Metro
The traffic police has advised air passengers to plan their airport journeys carefully and use Metro services wherever possible.
Travellers from Gurgaon can use NH-48, Rao Gajraj Singh Marg, Old Delhi-Gurgaon Road and UER-II before connecting to the airport routes.
Passengers coming from Dwarka can use the Sector 22-Dwarka corridor and UER-II, with designated routes available for the different airport terminals.
From New Delhi and south Delhi, commuters can travel through Ring Road, AIIMS, Moti Bagh, Rao Tula Ram Marg and NH-48 towards the airport.
Travellers from west Delhi can use the Punjabi Bagh, Ring Road, Raja Garden, Najafgarh Road, Pankha Road, Dabri and Dwarka corridors before joining UER-II.
Passengers travelling from north and east Delhi can use the Kashmere Gate-Rani Jhansi Flyover-Rohtak Road-Punjabi Bagh-Raja Garden route before proceeding towards Dwarka and NH-48.
Metro services to remain operational
Delhi Metro services are expected to continue across the network, and commuters have been encouraged to use public transport to reduce pressure on roads.
Bus routes may be diverted temporarily during VIP movements. Taxis and auto-rickshaws will also have to follow designated parking and movement arrangements.
Commercial vehicles and parking restrictions
Non-essential commercial vehicles without a specific destination may not be permitted to enter certain parts of Delhi during the security arrangements.
Roadside parking will be prohibited on controlled routes, with restrictions extending to areas within 200 metres of designated controlled roads. Vehicles should only be parked at authorised parking facilities.
Emergency and medical vehicles will receive priority movement across the city. Essential services and utility supplies are also expected to continue without interruption.
Delhi Police issues safety appeal
The traffic police has asked commuters to check the latest advisory before beginning their journey, particularly if they need to reach the airport, railway stations, ISBTs, central Delhi or areas around Bharat Mandapam.
Residents have also been advised to report any suspicious object or activity to the nearest police officer.
With the BRICS Summit bringing heightened security and VIP movement to the capital, Delhi residents should expect delays, route changes and traffic controls from September 11 to 13 and plan their journeys accordingly.
