Temporary Delhi traffic curbs and heightened security arrangements are in place as India hosts the two-day 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam from Saturday, with around 15,000 Delhi Police personnel, 200 companies of paramilitary forces and more than 500 CCTV cameras deployed across the capital.
Delhi Traffic Police said the city would not be shut down, but commuters should expect temporary stoppages, diversions and restrictions along routes used by foreign dignitaries and other VVIP convoys. Officials said the duration of stoppages would not be fixed, with vehicles 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 cover includes the airport, hotels, Bharat Mandapam and other locations scheduled to be visited by the dignitaries. In the New Delhi zone, more than 500 high-resolution CCTV cameras, facial-recognition systems and vehicle number-plate-reading cameras will provide round-the-clock surveillance through a monitoring room, officials said. Access control, verification, intelligence gathering, traffic management and emergency response arrangements have also been strengthened at the summit venue and hotels.
More than 35 roads could be affected during the summit period. These 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 traffic 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 place additional pressure on south Delhi roads, particularly during peak hours.
Officials said the summit could require 70 to 80 or more high-security movements across Delhi in a single day. A visiting leader may travel between the airport, hotel, summit venue, bilateral meetings and other engagements. Each movement requires separate traffic regulation, access restrictions and route coordination.
The city saw 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 the summit arrangements.
The Delhi Metro will continue to operate, although temporary restrictions at some stations or entry and exit gates may be imposed if required for security reasons. Delhi Transport Corporation and city buses will also run, but routes through affected areas may be diverted, curtailed or regulated. Autos, taxis and app-based cab services will operate, 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 their admit cards and identification, and leave early. People travelling to hospitals for planned appointments have also been asked to allow additional time and verify their routes. In a medical emergency, commuters should immediately inform nearby traffic personnel.
Russian President Vladimir Putin reached Delhi on Friday, while China confirmed President Xi Jinping’s attendance. Other leaders and officials listed for the summit 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. The traffic and security restrictions will remain linked to the movement schedule and operational requirements during the summit.
