The national capital is bracing for widespread transit curbs and significant vehicular diversions as New Delhi hosts global leaders for the high-profile 18th BRICS Summit. To facilitate secure passage for visiting heads of state, international delegations, and diplomatic motorcades traveling between premier luxury hotels, international transport terminals, and the Bharat Mandapam convention complex, the Delhi Traffic Police has deployed an extensive surface transit plan. As part of these elaborate security arrangements, city motorists and daily office-goers will encounter major disruptions lasting well over six continuous hours across key central corridors, major business intersections, and southern arterial networks.
The core disruption window announced by law enforcement takes effect in the afternoon, with strict regulations and regulated transit active from 2:00 PM to 8:30 PM. During this period of heightened security protocol, vehicular access along multiple VIP routes will be severely constrained or completely halted. Traffic marshals, local police divisions, and central paramilitary forces have been deployed in large numbers to supervise diversions and minimize localized gridlocks. Commuters planning to step out during the peak evening hours are advised to factor in substantial travel buffers, recheck road statuses on traffic monitoring platforms, avoid central administrative zones, and prioritize rapid transit alternatives to avoid finding themselves trapped in extensive detours.
Dozens of high-density avenues and junction points across Central, South, and New Delhi are subject to immediate diversions and perimeter controls. Key roadways facing stringent curbs include Sardar Patel Marg, Mother Teresa Crescent, Teen Murti Marg, Akbar Road, Tees January Marg, Rajesh Pilot Marg, and Subramaniam Bharti Marg. Heavy transit friction and restricted access are also active along Mathura Road, Moti Lal Nehru Marg, Dr. Zakir Hussain Marg, Brigadier Hoshiyar Singh Marg, Africa Avenue, Satya Marg, and Shanti Path. Further north and eastward toward the central commercial districts, motorists will face intense choke points around Janpath, Ashoka Road, Barakhamba Road, Tolstoy Marg, the Ranjeet Singh Flyover, Niti Marg, and Panchsheel Marg. Connecting southern corridors—such as Kemal Ataturk Marg, APJ Abdul Kalam Road, Press Enclave Road, Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, Josip Broz Tito Marg, and Lala Lajpat Rai Marg—are similarly experiencing restricted vehicular movement and police checkpoint screenings.
Commercial vehicles and public transport systems are also feeling the impact of these stringent diplomatic protocols. Commercial goods vehicles and heavy carrier trucks have been barred from entering key central zones, with entry strictly prohibited along critical stretches like Mathura Road and Tilak Marg, as well as redirected around the ITO intersection onto IP Marg, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg, and Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg. Surface buses run by the Delhi Transport Corporation continue operating across permitted outer routes, though numerous regular services are subject to short-terminations or wide diversions around Lutyens’ Delhi. App-based cab aggregators and auto-rickshaws have also been notified that pick-up and drop-off operations remain prohibited within designated high-security perimeters, compelling ride-hailing users to seek alternative rendezvous points beyond cordoned zones.
Despite widespread restrictions on surface roads, the Delhi Metro provides an essential, uninterrupted lifeline for millions of city commuters. The Delhi Traffic Police and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation have confirmed that metro train operations across all corridors remain fully functional according to their scheduled timetables. Every metro station across the national capital, including pivotal transit hubs in Central Delhi like Rajiv Chowk, Central Secretariat, and Mandi House, remains open to the general public. Transport authorities have issued an emphatic recommendation urging all residents traveling to offices, business centers, markets, or family commitments across central sectors to rely exclusively on metro services rather than taking private four-wheelers or taxis through choked surface detours.
Special transit corridors and diversionary advisories have been mapped out for travelers heading toward critical long-distance transport hubs, including major railway stations and the international airport. Passengers traveling to New Delhi Railway Station from northern areas are directed to travel via ISBT Kashmere Gate, Boulevard Road, Rani Jhansi Marg, DBG Road, and Panchkuian Road toward the Outer Circle of Connaught Place, while those coming from southern regions can utilize the Ashram Chowk, Ring Road, Raj Ghat, and JLN Marg route. For Old Delhi Railway Station, recommended access remains open via ISBT Kashmere Gate, Ring Road, Hanuman Mandir, and SP Mukherjee Marg. Passengers scheduled to depart from Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station are advised to follow corridors along Ring Road through AIIMS and Ashram Chowk before turning toward Mathura Road.
Air passengers traveling to Indira Gandhi International Airport must exercise extra vigilance and account for significant transit buffers to avoid missing scheduled flights. With non-scheduled flights paused and vehicular movement curtailed across approach arteries like Sardar Patel Marg, airport-bound travelers from Gurugram are guided through NH-48 via Rao Gajraj Singh Marg and Old Delhi Gurugram Road toward the UER II Service Road, or along Ulan Batar Marg for domestic Terminal 1. Commuters originating in South or Central Delhi can take RTR Marg through Shankar Vihar Flyover toward Mahipalpur, while West Delhi travelers should utilize Najafgarh Road, Dabri-Gurugram Road, and Sector-22 Dwarka Road to access the UER II tunnel network directly into the terminals. For an entirely predictable journey without surface traffic risk, travelers are strongly encouraged to board the high-speed Airport Express Line directly from New Delhi or Shivaji Stadium stations.
Throughout the multi-hour security operation, traffic enforcement officers have received strict directives to ensure that ambulances, hospital personnel, emergency first responders, and essential utility services are granted immediate, uninhibited passage through diversions. By staying informed about route restrictions, avoiding non-essential personal driving in central zones, and transitioning to rail transit, residents can navigate the operational challenges smoothly while the national capital hosts this crucial international summit.