Delhi BRICS Summit traffic restrictions will affect more than 35 roads in the capital as authorities deploy around 15,000 Delhi Police personnel, 200 companies of paramilitary forces and over 500 CCTV cameras for the two-day meeting at Bharat Mandapam. Traffic officials said there would be no citywide shutdown, but commuters should expect temporary stoppages, diversions and phased release of vehicles as high-security convoys move through the city on September 11 and during the summit.
The Delhi Traffic Police said arrangements had been made to minimise inconvenience to the public. “We have made elaborate arrangements by ensuring minimum inconvenience to the public. We have also issued advance advisories on traffic arrangements,” a senior police officer said, according to the report.
The roads likely to see restrictions or diversions include Mathura Road, Sardar Patel Marg, Shanti Path, Janpath, Ashoka Road, Barakhamba Road, Tolstoy Marg, Africa Avenue Road, Niti Marg, Panchsheel Marg and APJ Abdul Kalam Road. The impact is expected to be most significant for commuters travelling between Noida and central Delhi, east Delhi and central areas, and Dwarka and west Delhi towards Dhaula Kuan, the airport and south Delhi.
The movement of the Egyptian delegation between its hotel in Saket and central Delhi could also add to congestion in south Delhi, particularly during peak travel periods. Officials said the summit could involve 70 to 80 or more high-security movements across the city in a day. Each movement requires traffic regulation, route coordination and access restrictions.
Delhi experienced a preview of the arrangements on Wednesday evening, when a motorcade rehearsal caused delays at several locations. Traffic was regulated at 22 diversion points between 7pm and 10pm during the exercise. About 4,800 traffic personnel have been assigned to summit-related arrangements.
Security measures cover the airport, hotels, Bharat Mandapam and other locations scheduled to be visited by dignitaries. In the New Delhi zone, more than 500 CCTV cameras, including high-resolution, facial-recognition and automatic number-plate-reading systems, will provide round-the-clock surveillance through a central monitoring room. Authorities have also put enhanced access control, verification, intelligence gathering, traffic management and emergency response systems in place.
Public transport will continue to operate, although services may be adjusted. Delhi Metro services will run, but temporary restrictions on entry, exit or access to some stations may be imposed if security conditions require them. Delhi Transport Corporation buses, autos, taxis and app-based cabs will also operate, though vehicles using affected routes may face diversions or restrictions. Parking will not be permitted on restricted and security-sensitive roads.
Authorities said essential supplies, including milk and medicines, would be facilitated under the applicable arrangements. Candidates appearing for UPSC, NDA, CDS and other examinations have been advised to check their centres and routes, carry their admit cards and identification, and leave early. People with hospital appointments have also been asked to allow additional travel time.
Traffic officials have coordinated with online map service providers to update restrictions, diversions and alternate routes in real time. Police have urged residents not to forward unverified social media messages claiming a “Delhi bandh” or blanket road closures, and to rely on official traffic advisories instead.
