Connaught Place’s Inner Circle will be closed to motorised vehicles on Sunday, October 4, as the New Delhi Municipal Council plans a three-hour Raahgiri Day programme focused on cycling, fitness, culture and street activities in central Delhi. The event will run from 7am to 10am and is intended to temporarily convert the area into a people-first public space.
The programme is being organised by the Raahgiri Foundation, Delhi Traffic Police and Fit India, in association with the NDMC, officials said. During the event, pedestrians and cyclists will use the Inner Circle while motorised vehicles make way for community activities in one of the capital’s busiest commercial and public destinations.
The schedule includes cycling, fitness sessions, local cultural performances, sports activities, street art, interactive workshops and music. A live performance by Indian rock band Euphoria is also planned at Central Park. Organisers said the programme would include community participation and activities aimed at encouraging youth involvement and civic engagement.
The temporary vehicle restriction places Connaught Place’s public-space function at the centre of the event. The Inner Circle, normally used by moving and parked vehicles as part of the commercial district’s circulation system, will instead host activities designed for walking, cycling and public gathering during the three-hour programme.
According to the organisers, Raahgiri Day will also highlight sustainable mobility and clean air. The event’s stated focus links the temporary road closure with broader public discussions around how streets can support non-motorised movement, recreation and community use alongside their role in carrying traffic.
The programme will include environmental-stewardship activities as well as youth and civic-engagement sessions. These elements are intended to expand the event beyond entertainment and fitness by involving residents and participants in activities related to public space and urban mobility.
The closure is scheduled only for the duration of the Raahgiri Day programme on October 4. The NDMC, Delhi Traffic Police, Raahgiri Foundation and Fit India are the participating agencies and organisations listed for the event.
