In a recent update, August 13 will see a full-dress rehearsal at Red Fort ahead of Independence Day celebrations. Commuters and travellers planning to move through central, north and east Delhi on Thursday must plan their journeys carefully and early as several traffic restrictions will be in place. The rehearsal is organised ahead of the main Independence Day celebrations on August 15, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address the nation from the Red Fort.What travellers and commuters should knowDelhi Traffic Police has advised people to avoid restricted areas and follow diversions during the specified hours. The restrictions will particularly affect:
- Red Fort
- Old Delhi
- Chandni Chowk
- Ring Road
- All roads connecting north and central Delhi
- Travellers heading towards railway stations, ISBTs and other parts of the city should allow extra time.
Red Fort roads to remain closed on August 13As per traffic advisory, roads around the Red Fort will remain closed to general traffic from 4 AM to 10 AM on August 13. Only vehicles carrying a valid rehearsal label will be permitted on the restricted stretches.
Red Fort (Canva)
The affected roads include:
- Netaji Subhash Marg between Delhi Gate and Chatta Rail Chowk
- Lothian Road between GPO Delhi and Chatta Rail Chowk
- S.P. Mukherjee Marg between H.C. Sen Marg and Yamuna Bazar Chowk
- Chandni Chowk Road between Fountain Chowk and the Red Fort
- Nishad Raj Marg between Ring Road and Netaji Subhash Marg
- Esplanade Road and its connecting link road to Netaji Subhash Marg
- Ring Road between Rajghat and ISBT
People travelling without rehearsal or parking labels have been advised to avoid several roads and junctions during the restriction period.These include:
- C-Hexagon at India Gate
- Copernicus Marg
- Mandi House
- Sikandra Road
- W Point
- A Point on Tilak Marg
- Mathura Road
- BSZ Marg
- Netaji Subhash Marg
- J.L. Nehru Marg
- The Ring Road stretch between Nizamuddin Khatta and ISBT Kashmiri Gate
- Old Iron Bridge and Geeta Colony Bridge affected
The traffic arrangements will also affect movement towards Shanti Van, the Old Iron Bridge and Geeta Colony Bridge will remain closed towards Shanti Van.However, important crossings including DND, NH-24/NH-9, Yudhister Setu, Signature Bridge and Wazirabad Bridge can be used to reach the Ring Road, according to the traffic arrangements reported in the advisory.Overnight restrictions on commercial vehiclesThe traffic restrictions begin even before the morning rehearsal for certain categories of vehicles.Goods vehicles will not be permitted between Nizamuddin Khatta and Wazirabad Bridge from midnight on August 12 until 11 AM on August 13.This is particularly relevant for logistics operators, delivery vehicles and commercial transport moving across Delhi during the night and early morning.Interstate buses will also face restrictions during this period. Movement between Maharana Pratap ISBT and Sarai Kale Khan ISBT will not be permitted from midnight on August 12 to 11 am on August 13. Similar arrangements were specified by Delhi Traffic Police in its previous Independence Day rehearsal advisory.Alternate routesLocal city buses, including DTC services, will also be affected. Bus movement on the Ring Road between ISBT Kashmiri Gate and the NH-24/NH-9 or NH ‘T’ Point at Nizamuddin Khatta will be restricted during the affected period.
Traffic advisory (Canva)
Instead, buses will use available alternative routes.This could affect travellers using public transport to reach Old Delhi, Kashmiri Gate, Sarai Kale Khan, central Delhi and nearby railway stations. Passengers connecting between interstate buses and local public transport should therefore allow additional time and check their route before travelling.According to the traffic arrangements, normal bus movement is expected to resume after 11 am on August 13, subject to on-ground traffic and security conditions.
