Traffic Alert: Big news for everyone. On August 15th, the Prime Minister will deliver a speech to the nation from the Red Fort in celebration of Independence Day. A complete dress rehearsal is scheduled for August 13th prior to the event. To maintain security and ensure public convenience, the Delhi Traffic Police have implemented comprehensive traffic measures around the Red Fort and its vicinity on both days. Major roads in the area will be closed to public traffic from 4 am to 10 am on August 13th and 15th. Only vehicles that are authorized and properly labeled will be allowed on these routes.
These roads surrounding the Red Fort will be off-limits
On August 13th and 15th, regular traffic will be restricted on Netaji Subhash Marg from Delhi Gate to Chatta Rail Chowk, Lohian Road from GPO to Chatta Rail Chowk, SP Mukherjee Marg from HC Sen Marg to Yamuna Bazaar Chowk, and Chandni Chowk Road from Fountain Chowk to the Red Fort. Additionally, normal vehicle movement will be disrupted on Nishad Raj Marg, Esplanade Road and its connecting roads, as well as the Ring Road from Rajghat to ISBT.
Vehicles lacking parking labels are advised to steer clear of C-Hexagon of India Gate, Copernicus Marg, Mandi House, Sikandra Road, W Point, A-Point, Tilak Marg, Mathura Road, BSZ Marg, Netaji Subhash Marg, JL Nehru Marg, and the respective sections of the Ring Road from 4 am to 10 am.
Alternative routes for north-south travel
For those commuting between North and South Delhi, the following routes are recommended: Aurobindo Marg, Safdarjung Road, Kemal Ataturk Marg, Kautilya Marg, Sardar Patel Marg, 11 Murti, Mother Teresa Crescent, Park Street, Mandir Marg, Panchkuian Road, and Rani Jhansi Road. Alternatively, you can reach North Delhi via Connaught Place, Minto Road, Bhavabhuti Marg, Ajmeri Gate, Shraddhanand Marg, Lahori Gate Chowk, Naya Bazaar, and Peeli Kothi. Vehicles crossing the Yamuna can utilize Nizamuddin Bridge, Pushta Road, GT Road, and Yudhishthir Setu.
Routes have also been modified for east-west traffic.
Individuals traveling between East and West Delhi should consider using NH-24/NH-9, Nizamuddin, Barapullah Road, and the Ring Road. Vehicles coming from DND can use the Ring Road via Barapullah Road or Ashram. Vehicles coming from Vikas Marg are advised to proceed via IP Marg, DDU Marg, and Minto Road. Pushta Road, GT Road, Yudhishthir Setu, and ISBT routes can also be used. The DND-NH-24-Yudhishthir Setu-Signature Bridge-Wazirabad Bridge route will remain open for access to the Ring Road. However, the route from Old Iron Bridge and Geeta Colony Bridge towards Shanti Van will remain closed.
Heavy vehicles and buses will be impacted starting the night of August 12
In preparation for the events on August 13th and 15th, there will be restrictions on commercial and bus traffic at various locations from midnight before each event until 11:00 a.m. the next day. Freight vehicles will be prohibited from traveling between Nizamuddin Khatta and Wazirabad Bridge. Likewise, interstate buses will not operate between Maharana Pratap ISBT and Sarai Kale Khan ISBT. Local buses, including those operated by DTC, will also be restricted on the Ring Road between Kashmere Gate ISBT and Nizamuddin Khatta, with diversions to alternative routes.
Buses heading to Red Fort, Jama Masjid, and Old Delhi will be rerouted
Buses destined for Red Fort, Jama Masjid, and Old Delhi Railway Station will be redirected. Buses arriving from South and West Delhi will be halted or redirected near Ramlila Maidan on JLN Marg. Buses from North and Northwest Delhi will be diverted towards Mori Gate and Tis Hazari. Buses approaching North Delhi from the Ring Road will be redirected to Boulevard Road in front of Maharaja Agrasen Park. Regular bus services will resume after 11 a.m.
Special arrangements for buses from other areas
Buses arriving from Baraf Khana, Roshnara Road, Old Rohtak Road, New Rohtak Road, and Malka Ganj will not be allowed to continue to Old Delhi Railway Station, Red Fort, or Jama Masjid. Instead, these buses will terminate at various points around Mori Gate, Tis Hazari, and Gokale Road. Buses from Ajmeri Gate and Minto Bridge will end their routes near Turkman Gate and Asaf Ali Road. Buses coming from Mall Road will head to Mori Gate via Boulevard Road. Buses traveling from South Delhi to Red Fort and Old Delhi Railway Station will be redirected to Boulevard Road via Ring Road, NH-24, Pushta Road, and the new ISBT Bridge.
Changes to interstate bus routes
Buses arriving from Ghaziabad will reach ISBT Kashmere Gate via Bhopura Chungi Road, Wazirabad Road, and Chandgi Ram Akhara. Buses coming from Dhaula Kuan will be directed to ISBT via Ring Road and Punjabi Bagh.
Caution advised to those going to the railway station
Passengers going to Old Delhi Railway Station from West and South Delhi can use Mother Teresa Crescent, Park Street, Mandir Marg, Panchkuian Road, Rani Jhansi Flyover, Azad Market, Boulevard Road and Mori Gate. From East and North-East Delhi, Pushta Road, Yudhishthir Setu, Mori Gate, Dufferin Bridge and SP Mukherjee Marg can be used.
To reach New Delhi Railway Station from East Delhi, the route will be via Vikas Marg, DDU Marg, and Bhavbhuti Marg. From North and West Delhi, the station can be reached via Rani Jhansi Road, DBG Road, Panchkuian Road, and Connaught Place. Separate routes have also been established for those traveling to ISBT Kashmere Gate. There will be no specific restrictions for those traveling from North Delhi, while those traveling from South and West Delhi will have to use Rani Jhansi Road and Boulevard Road.
Access to hospitals opened
According to the traffic police, there will be no special restrictions on access to JPN Hospital. However, routes to Kasturba Hospital can be used via Ajmeri Gate, Ajmeri Bazaar, Hauz Qazi, Chawri Bazaar, and Urdu Bazaar. The traffic police have appealed to people to leave home with sufficient time for essential travel on August 13th and 15th. Avoid unnecessary travel around the Red Fort and central Delhi and plan your route before setting out. Informational signboards will also be installed at major intersections to assist people.