Delhi Traffic Police announces special traffic management plan with multiple road closures, vehicle restrictions and diversion arrangements for Indpendence Day 2026
New Delhi: Ahead of India’s 80th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort, Delhi Traffic Police has announced a special traffic management plan with multiple road closures, vehicle restrictions and diversion arrangements. The advisory has become important for daily commuters, office-goers and travellers as movement around central Delhi will remain affected during the morning security window on August 15.
The restrictions are part of a multi-layer security arrangement prepared for the national ceremony, where the Prime Minister will address the nation from the historic Red Fort. Authorities have planned controlled traffic movement to ensure the safe arrival of dignitaries, smooth crowd management and uninterrupted Independence Day proceedings.
According to the traffic advisory, restrictions will remain in force from 4 am to 10 am on August 15. During this period, only vehicles with valid parking labels and authorised passes will be allowed on several routes near the Red Fort.
The major roads affected by the restrictions include Netaji Subhash Marg between Delhi Gate and Chhatta Rail Chowk, Lothian Road from GPO Delhi to Chhatta Rail Chowk, SP Mukherjee Marg between HC Sen Marg and Yamuna Bazar Chowk, Chandni Chowk Road from Fountain Chowk to Red Fort and Ring Road between Rajghat and ISBT Kashmere Gate. Other restricted stretches include Nishad Raj Marg, Esplanade Road and Link Road connecting towards Netaji Subhash Marg.
Delhi Traffic Police has advised people without authorised parking labels to avoid several important roads during the restricted period. These include C-Hexagon near India Gate, Copernicus Marg, Mandi House, Tilak Marg, Mathura Road, BSZ Marg, JL Nehru Marg, Netaji Subhash Marg, Ring Road between Nizamuddin Khatta and ISBT Kashmere Gate and Outer Ring Road via Salimgarh Bypass. The advisory aims to prevent congestion around central Delhi and maintain a smooth security corridor around the Red Fort area.
To reduce inconvenience for commuters, authorities have suggested alternative routes connecting different parts of the national capital. People travelling between north Delhi and south Delhi can use Aurobindo Marg, Safdarjung Road, Kamal Ataturk Marg, Kautilya Marg, Sardar Patel Marg, 11 Murti, Mother Teresa Crescent, Park Street, Mandir Marg, Panchkuian Road and Rani Jhansi Road.
For east Delhi to west Delhi movement, commuters can use NH-24/NH-9 towards Nizamuddin Khatta, Barapulla Road and Ring Road. The Delhi-Noida Direct Flyway can also be used for connectivity towards Barapulla Road and Ring Road. Those travelling from Trans-Yamuna areas towards north Delhi have been advised to follow Pusta Road, GT Road, Yudhister Setu and ISBT Kashmere Gate routes.
The traffic restrictions will also impact DTC buses, private buses and interstate transport services. Buses heading towards Kauria Pul, Red Fort and Old Delhi Railway Station will be diverted through ISBT Bridge and will terminate near Boulevard Road at the Mori Gate U-turn.
Buses travelling towards New Delhi Railway Station, Connaught Place and Central Secretariat will follow routes through ISBT Bridge, Boulevard Road, Rani Jhansi Flyover, Rani Jhansi Road and Mandir Marg. Passengers travelling towards south Delhi from the ISBT side will be diverted through Mandir Marg, Shankar Road, Upper Ridge Road, Simon Bolivar Marg and Dhaula Kuan.
Several buses that normally terminate at Old Delhi Railway Station, Red Fort, Jama Masjid and Kauria Pul will either be curtailed or diverted during the security period. Buses coming from Roshanara Road towards Old Delhi Railway Station will terminate near the State Bank of India area inside Tis Hazari Court, while buses approaching from Old Rohtak Road towards Old Delhi Railway Station and Red Fort will terminate at Mori Gate.
Private and mini buses will also terminate at the MCD parking area near Mori Gate. Gokhale Road will operate as a one-way stretch from Mori Gate towards Kashmere Gate during the restrictions.
Commercial Vehicles And Goods Transport Restrictions
The traffic advisory has also introduced restrictions on commercial vehicles and heavy transport movement. Goods vehicles will not be allowed between Nizamuddin Khatta and Wazirabad Bridge from midnight of August 14 until 11 am on August 15.
Interstate buses will also not be permitted between Maharana Pratap ISBT and Sarai Kale Khan ISBT during this period. DTC and local city buses will face restrictions on the Ring Road corridor between ISBT Kashmere Gate and NH-24/NH-9 junction at Nizamuddin Khatta.
Other affected routes include Lothian Road, Netaji Subhash Marg, SP Mukherjee Marg, Mathura Road and Vikas Marg. Normal bus operations are expected to resume after 11 am once the Independence Day programme concludes and traffic diversions are removed.
Apart from traffic restrictions, Delhi Police has issued a security advisory for people attending the Independence Day ceremony.
Visitors have been advised not to carry cameras, binoculars, remote-control car keys, umbrellas, handbags, briefcases, transistors, cigarette lighters, tiffin boxes and water bottles inside the event area.
People have also been instructed not to touch any suspicious object and immediately inform security personnel or the nearest police officer about unidentified items or unusual activity.
As part of the aerial security arrangement, authorities have prohibited the operation of several flying platforms over Delhi during the Independence Day security period. The restrictions cover paragliders, paramotors, hang gliders, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS), microlight aircraft, hot-air balloons, quadcopters and other similar aerial platforms. The move has been implemented as a preventive security measure to protect the high-security event zone.
Delhi Traffic Police has also arranged recovery vans from 5 am on August 15 to handle vehicle breakdowns and emergency situations. These recovery teams will be stationed at key locations, including Gokhale Marg, Ghata Masjid, Yamuna Bazar, Delhi Gate and Chhatta Rail Chowk.
Commuters have been advised to plan their journeys in advance, follow traffic signs, check real-time updates and avoid restricted routes during the morning hours. Traffic restrictions will continue until the Independence Day celebrations conclude and security clearance is provided by authorities. After the restrictions are lifted, normal traffic movement and bus services are expected to resume gradually.
The Delhi Traffic Police has urged citizens to cooperate with security personnel and follow the official traffic plan to ensure a safe and smooth celebration of Independence Day 2026 at the Red Fort.
