Delhi witnessed extensive traffic restrictions as authorities carried out a major motorcade rehearsal ahead of the BRICS Summit 2026. The exercise was part of preparations for the 18th BRICS Summit, which India will host at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on September 12 and 13.
The rehearsal was designed to test the movement of high-level dignitaries and foreign delegations through the national capital. With several heads of state and senior representatives expected to attend the summit, Delhi Police and other agencies have been preparing security, traffic and route-management arrangements well in advance.
According to the traffic advisory issued by Delhi Police, regulated movement and diversions were planned across key roads in the capital during the rehearsal. The September 6 exercise was scheduled from 9 am to 10 pm, with more than 35 roads and multiple diversion points expected to be affected.
The traffic restrictions are part of a larger security preparation for the BRICS summit. India is hosting the 18th BRICS Summit in its capacity as BRICS Chair for 2026, with Bharat Mandapam at Pragati Maidan serving as the main venue.
The summit is expected to bring together leaders from BRICS member countries, partner countries and invited outreach nations. The movement of such a large number of high-profile delegations requires detailed coordination between security agencies, traffic police, local administration and other government departments.
The motorcade rehearsal was therefore intended to test how quickly and safely designated routes can be cleared for VIP movements.
For ordinary commuters, however, the exercise meant potential delays and diversions across several parts of Delhi. Police advised people to plan their journeys in advance, leave extra travel time and use public transport, particularly the Delhi Metro, wherever possible. Emergency and essential-service vehicles were given priority passage during regulated traffic movement.
Several important roads in central, south and southwest Delhi were included in the affected network.
Among the roads listed in the traffic advisory were Sardar Patel Marg, Mother Teresa Crescent, Teen Murti Marg, Akbar Road, Tees January Marg, Rajesh Pilot Marg, Subramaniam Bharti Marg and Mathura Road.
Other important stretches included Moti Lal Nehru Marg, Dr Zakir Hussain Marg, Brigadier Hoshiar Singh Marg, Africa Avenue Road, Satya Marg and Shanti Path.
Traffic regulations were also expected along Janpath, Ashoka Road, Barakhamba Road, Tolstoy Marg, Ranjeet Singh Flyover, Niti Marg, Panchsheel Marg, Kemal Ataturk Marg and APJ Abdul Kalam Road.
Press Enclave Road, Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, Joseph Broz Tito Marg and Lala Lajpat Rai Marg were among the other routes identified for possible restrictions or regulated movement.
The advisory also identified several important diversion points. These included areas around Kasturba Gandhi Marg, Janpath, Panchkuian Road, Minto Road and Barakhamba Road.
Other points mentioned in the traffic arrangements included Patel Chowk, Dhaula Kuan, the RML Hospital roundabout, Vande Mataram Marg, Moti Bagh Flyover, Lodhi Road and Neela Gumbad.
The extensive list of affected routes reflects the scale of the security arrangements being put in place for the summit.
One of the major concerns for authorities is ensuring uninterrupted movement between important locations used by visiting dignitaries. These can include the airport, hotels, the summit venue and other locations associated with official engagements.
The traffic plan has therefore been designed around designated VIP corridors rather than only the roads immediately surrounding Bharat Mandapam.
Commuters travelling toward Connaught Place and central Delhi were among those likely to experience changes in normal traffic movement.
The police advised commuters approaching Connaught Place from Tilak Marg to use alternative routes such as Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg and Sikandra Road. Traffic movement on some sections of Mathura Road and Tilak Marg was restricted during the regulated periods.
Commercial vehicles were also subject to specific restrictions in some areas.
From the ITO crossing, commercial vehicles were prohibited on designated stretches and advised to use alternative roads including IP Marg, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg and Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg.
Such arrangements are intended to reduce the number of vehicles on sensitive VIP corridors while keeping alternative routes available for general traffic.
Railway passengers were also advised to plan their journeys carefully because traffic restrictions could affect access to major railway stations.
For passengers travelling to New Delhi Railway Station, an alternative route was identified through ISBT Kashmere Gate, Boulevard Road, Rani Jhansi Road and Panchkuian Road.
Those travelling to Old Delhi Railway Station were advised to use a route through ISBT Kashmere Gate, Ring Road, Hanuman Mandir and SP Mukherjee Marg.
For Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station, the suggested route involved AIIMS, Ring Road and Ashram Chowk before connecting toward the station.
Airport passengers were also urged to account for additional travel time.
The suggested route toward Indira Gandhi International Airport included Ring Road, AIIMS, Moti Bagh, Shankar Vihar Flyover, NH-48 and Mahipalpur Flyover.
The traffic police’s recommendation to use the Metro was particularly important because road-based travel could become unpredictable during motorcade movements.
Traffic restrictions during VIP movement are often implemented dynamically. Roads that are normally open can temporarily experience stoppages when a motorcade passes through, meaning even commuters travelling outside a formally restricted section can experience delays.
The rehearsal therefore provided authorities with an opportunity to identify possible bottlenecks before the actual summit.
The BRICS Summit itself is scheduled for September 12 and 13 at Bharat Mandapam. Traffic and security arrangements are expected to become more extensive as foreign leaders and delegations begin arriving in Delhi.
Officials have indicated that traffic movement in several parts of central, south and southwest Delhi could remain affected during the period surrounding the arrival and departure of foreign delegates.
According to reports, elaborate arrangements are being prepared for movements of heads of state, foreign delegations and other dignitaries. The expected arrival period begins before the summit and restrictions may continue through the departure of visiting delegations.
The preparations extend beyond traffic management.
Government agencies are also working on security checks, route monitoring, venue protection and coordination of emergency services. The objective is to ensure that visiting leaders can travel between designated locations without disrupting essential security arrangements.
The New Delhi Municipal Council has also been monitoring key routes that could be used by VIP delegates. Officials said 41 important routes, including major roads and roundabouts, were being monitored on a zone-by-zone basis ahead of the summit.
The motorcade rehearsal is particularly important because an international summit involving senior political leaders requires precise timing.
A small delay on one route can potentially affect movements scheduled elsewhere. A full-scale rehearsal allows authorities to evaluate how traffic diversions work in practice, how quickly roads can be cleared and where additional personnel may be required.
It also allows officials to coordinate between different security and traffic teams.
For Delhi residents, the biggest practical impact will be increased travel times around the affected corridors.
Office commuters, students, railway passengers and people travelling to the airport have been advised to check traffic conditions before leaving and avoid unnecessary travel through restricted areas.
The Metro is expected to remain one of the most practical alternatives for many journeys during the high-security period.
The traffic advisory also emphasised that commuters should follow instructions from traffic personnel rather than attempting to bypass barricades or enter restricted routes.
Such instructions are particularly important during motorcade movements because traffic regulations can change depending on the movement of protected convoys.
The BRICS Summit comes at a significant time for India as the country takes on the responsibility of hosting a major international gathering under its 2026 chairship.
The summit will provide an opportunity for member and partner countries to discuss economic cooperation, trade, development and other international issues.
While the diplomatic discussions will take place at the summit venue, the event will have a visible impact on daily life in Delhi because of the security arrangements required for visiting leaders.
The traffic rehearsal is therefore more than a routine road exercise. It represents one component of the larger logistical operation required to host a major international summit in a densely populated capital city.
Delhi has previously handled major international events involving large delegations and high-security movements. The experience gained from those events is now being applied to the BRICS preparations.
The scale of the current preparations also reflects the importance of Bharat Mandapam as the main summit venue.
Located at Pragati Maidan, the convention complex has hosted several major national and international events. Its location in central Delhi means that VIP movements can affect multiple important road corridors connecting the venue with other parts of the city.
The traffic rehearsal allows authorities to test these connections before the arrival of international leaders.
For commuters, the most important message remains to plan ahead.
People travelling through central, south or southwest Delhi should allow additional time and check the latest traffic advisories before starting their journey. Those who can use the Metro instead of road transport may be able to avoid some of the delays caused by temporary restrictions.
Passengers with flights or train reservations should also leave earlier than usual, particularly during periods when motorcade movements are scheduled.
Emergency services will continue to receive priority passage, and commuters have been asked to cooperate with traffic personnel throughout the restricted periods.
The rehearsal also gives Delhi residents an indication of what to expect as the actual summit approaches.
With the BRICS leaders’ meeting scheduled for September 12 and 13, traffic restrictions are likely to become more frequent around designated routes as foreign delegations arrive and depart.
Authorities are expected to issue additional advisories as the summit dates draw closer.
For now, the motorcade rehearsal marks an important stage in India’s preparations to host the 2026 BRICS Summit.
The exercise covers a wide network of roads and diversion points and is designed to ensure that VIP movements can take place securely and efficiently.
For Delhi’s commuters, the next several days may bring temporary traffic disruptions, but authorities are urging residents to cooperate, use public transport where possible and follow official diversion instructions.
As the September 12-13 summit approaches, the successful execution of these traffic and security arrangements will be crucial to ensuring that one of India’s biggest international diplomatic events of 2026 proceeds smoothly.
