Temporary traffic restrictions will be imposed across Delhi as the city hosts the two-day 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam from Saturday, with about 15,000 Delhi Police personnel, 200 paramilitary companies and more than 500 CCTV cameras deployed for security.
The Delhi Traffic Police has said the city will not be shut down, but commuters should expect stoppages, diversions and restrictions along routes used by VVIP convoys. Traffic will continue to move wherever security arrangements permit, although vehicles may be released in phases depending on the security situation and ground conditions.
“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.
The security plan covers the airport, hotels, Bharat Mandapam and other locations scheduled to be visited by foreign dignitaries. In the New Delhi zone, more than 500 high-resolution CCTV cameras, facial recognition systems and vehicle number-plate recognition cameras will provide continuous surveillance through a dedicated monitoring room. Authorities have also put enhanced access control, verification, intelligence gathering, traffic management and emergency response systems in place at the summit venue and hotels.
More than 35 roads could be affected during the summit period. Key routes 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 restrictions are expected to affect commuters travelling between Noida and central Delhi, east Delhi and central areas, and from 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 add pressure to roads in south Delhi, particularly during peak hours.
Officials said the summit could involve 70 to 80 or more high-security movements across the city in a single day. Visiting leaders may travel between the airport, hotels, the summit venue and bilateral meetings, with each movement requiring separate traffic regulation, access restrictions and route coordination.
Delhi received a preview of the arrangements on Wednesday evening, when a motorcade rehearsal caused prolonged delays at several locations. Traffic was regulated at 22 diversion points during the exercise, which took place between 7 pm and 10 pm. Nearly 4,800 traffic personnel have been deployed for summit-related arrangements.
The Delhi Metro will continue to operate, although temporary restrictions could be imposed at some stations or entry and exit gates if required for security reasons. Delhi Transport Corporation and city buses will also run, but services passing through affected areas may be diverted, curtailed or regulated. Autos, taxis and app-based cabs will continue operating, though access to controlled areas and pick-up and drop-off arrangements may be affected.
Candidates appearing for UPSC, NDA, CDS and other examinations have been advised to check their centres and routes in advance, carry admit cards and identification, and leave early. People travelling for planned hospital appointments have also been advised to allow additional time and verify their routes. In a medical emergency, commuters should immediately inform nearby traffic personnel.
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Delhi on Friday, while China confirmed President Xi Jinping’s attendance. Other expected participants include Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Delhi Police said its traffic and security arrangements would remain in force during the summit period, with restrictions adjusted according to convoy movements and prevailing conditions.
