New Delhi – The Delhi Traffic Police has released a detailed traffic advisory in anticipation of the full-dress rehearsal for Independence Day 2026, set to take place on Thursday, August 13. The rehearsal, a crucial precursor to the August 15 celebrations at the Red Fort, will necessitate extensive traffic restrictions and diversions in several key areas of central and north Delhi.
The advisory aims to help residents and commuters plan their journeys effectively and avoid potential congestion. Restrictions will be in effect between 4 AM and 10 AM on August 13, with certain roads entirely closed to general traffic and others reserved for labelled vehicles only.
Key Road Closures and Restrictions
Several major roads around the Red Fort will be subject to closure or strict restrictions during the rehearsal hours. Only vehicles with official labels will be permitted on specific stretches:
- Netaji Subhash Marg: Between Delhi Gate and Chatta Rail Chowk
- Lothian Road: From GPO Delhi to Chatta Rail Chowk
- S.P. Mukherjee Marg: From H.C. Sen Marg to Yamuna Bazar Chowk
Additionally, the following routes will experience restrictions for all traffic:
- Chandni Chowk Road: Between Fountain Chowk and Red Fort
- Nishad Raj Marg: Between Ring Road and Netaji Subhash Marg
- Esplanade Road and Link Road: Leading to Netaji Subhash Marg
- Ring Road: Between Rajghat and ISBT Kashmere Gate
Commuters without rehearsal parking labels are strongly advised to avoid key thoroughfares including C-Hexagon India Gate, Copernicus Marg, Mandi House, Sikandra Road, Tilak Marg, Mathura Road, and BSZ Marg during the specified hours.
Recommended Alternative Routes
To mitigate inconvenience, the Delhi Traffic Police has suggested alternative routes for north-south and east-west movements:
For North-South Movement:
- Aurobindo Marg
- Safdarjung Road
- Kamal Ataturk Marg
- Kautilya Marg
- Sardar Patel Marg
- 11 Murti
- Mother Teresa Crescent
- Park Street
- Mandir Marg
- Panchkuian Road
- Rani Jhansi Road
For East-West Movement:
- NH-24/NH-9 towards Nizamuddin Khatta
- Barapulla Road and Ring Road
- DND (as an alternative via Barapulla Road or Ring Road)
Those travelling from Trans-Yamuna areas towards north Delhi can utilize Pusta Road, GT Road, and Yudhister Setu towards ISBT Kashmere Gate.
Commercial Vehicle and Bus Restrictions
Specific restrictions will also apply to commercial vehicles and interstate buses:
- Commercial Vehicles: No commercial vehicles will be allowed between Nizamuddin Khatta and Wazirabad Bridge from midnight on August 12 until 11 AM on August 13.
- Interstate Buses: These services will not be permitted between Maharana Pratap ISBT and Sarai Kale Khan ISBT during the same period.
Local city buses and DTC services operating on affected corridors will be diverted. Normal bus operations are expected to resume after 11 AM, subject to road clearance.