The national capital is witnessing major traffic disruptions today due to the Republic Day 2026 full dress rehearsal. Delhi Traffic Police has imposed road closures and diversions across central, south and New Delhi areas, including Kartavya Path and Vijay Chowk.
Delhi Issues Traffic Advisory Ahead of Republic Day Full Dress Rehearsal
New Delhi: The full dress rehearsal for Republic Day 2026 is being held today in the capital Delhi. Due to this, traffic will be affected on several major routes in New Delhi, Central Delhi, and South Delhi. The Delhi Traffic Police has advised the public to avoid the parade route and surrounding areas and to check traffic conditions before traveling.
According to Delhi Traffic Police officials, the full dress rehearsal will begin at 10:30 AM from Vijay Chowk. It will pass through Kartavya Path, C-Hexagon, the roundabout statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Tilak Marg, and Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, and conclude at the Red Fort. Due to the rehearsal, no traffic will be allowed on Kartavya Path from Vijay Chowk to India Gate from 6 pm on Thursday until the parade concludes on Friday.
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Cross-traffic crossing the Duty Road on Rafi Marg, Janpath, and Man Singh Road will be completely closed from 11 pm on Thursday until the conclusion of the parade. Additionally, the C-Hexagon–India Gate route will be closed from 9:15 am on Friday. Traffic will be stopped in both directions on Tilak Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, and Subhash Marg from 10:30 am. Passengers have been advised to avoid the parade route from 9:30 am to 1 pm.
Reassuringly, Delhi Metro services will be available as usual at all stations during the dress rehearsal. However, passengers traveling to New Delhi Railway Station and Old Delhi Railway Station have been advised to allow extra time to travel, considering the expected crowds and delays.
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Due to the parade, city bus services will be reduced in many areas. The number of buses will be reduced in areas such as Park Street, Udyan Marg, Aram Bagh Road, Kamala Market Roundabout, Delhi Secretariat, and Pragati Maidan. Buses from Ghaziabad to Shivaji Stadium will be diverted via NH-24 and Ring Road to Bhairon Road. Passengers arriving from NH-24 will be diverted via Road No. 56 to ISBT Anand Vihar.
The Rajasthan tableau will be a special attraction in the Republic Day parade on January 26th. It will showcase the rare 16th-century Usta art of Bikaner. This art is known for its designs engraved with pure gold leaf on camel skin, wood, and stone, and received the GI tag in 2023. The tableau will also feature camels, Rajasthani music, and traditional dance.
