By Team INVC | INVC NEWS
Published: September 2, 2026 |10 : 25 AM IST
NEW DELHI, India | September 2, 2026 —
Delhi Traffic Alert Today has become crucial for commuters as authorities regulate traffic across more than 35 major roads in the national capital on Wednesday during a large motorcade rehearsal for the upcoming BRICS Summit 2026.
The rehearsal began at 10 AM and will continue until 3 PM on September 2, bringing temporary diversions and regulated movement across central, south and diplomatic areas of Delhi.
Delhi Traffic Police has activated 22 diversion points and advised motorists to avoid affected stretches wherever possible.
The restrictions could particularly affect people travelling through Connaught Place, Dhaula Kuan, Shanti Path, India Gate-area roads, Lodhi Road, Mathura Road and routes around Pragati Maidan.
Passengers heading to the airport or railway stations should allow additional travel time.
BRICS Motorcade Rehearsal Underway in Delhi
Security and traffic teams launched Wednesday’s motorcade rehearsal as part of preparations for the 18th BRICS Summit, which India will host later this month.
Authorities are testing movement plans for high-level foreign delegations expected to travel across the capital during the summit.
Police are regulating traffic rather than keeping every affected road completely closed throughout the five-hour window.
That means restrictions can change as rehearsal convoys move from one corridor to another.
Drivers should therefore expect short-notice diversions even on roads that appear open when they begin their journey.
These Major Delhi Roads Face Traffic Regulation
The advisory identifies more than 35 roads that could experience restrictions or diversions.
Major affected stretches include:
Sardar Patel Marg
Mother Teresa Crescent
Teen Murti Marg
Akbar Road
Tees January Marg
Rajesh Pilot Marg
Subramaniam Bharti Marg
Mathura Road
Moti Lal Nehru Marg
Dr Zakir Hussain Marg
Brigadier Hoshiar Singh Marg
Africa Avenue Road
Satya Marg
Shanti Path
Janpath
Ashoka Road
Barakhamba Road
Tolstoy Marg
Ranjeet Singh Flyover
Niti Marg
Panchsheel Marg
Kamal Ataturk Marg
APJ Abdul Kalam Road
Press Enclave Road
Other connecting roads around central and south Delhi could also slow down as traffic moves away from regulated stretches.
Connaught Place Traffic Could Face Diversions
Connaught Place commuters should remain particularly alert.
Traffic approaching the C-Hexagon from Kasturba Gandhi Marg and Outer Circle could face restrictions.
Authorities may divert vehicles through other sections of Outer Circle and connecting arterial roads.
At the Janpath-Connaught Place junction, motorists heading towards the C-Hexagon may have to take alternative routes.
Depending on their destination, commuters can use corridors such as:
Kali Bari Road
Shaheed Bhagat Singh Marg
Panchkuiyan Road
Minto Road
Barakhamba Road
Traffic conditions can change quickly as rehearsal convoys move.
Dhaula Kuan and Shanti Path Also in Focus
Dhaula Kuan remains another important pressure point.
Traffic Police can restrict movement towards Sardar Patel Marg from the Dhaula Kuan Flyover.
Motorists may use Ring Road, Vande Mataram Marg and NH-48, depending on their destination.
Traffic approaching Shanti Path from the Moti Bagh side could also face diversions.
Ring Road and Rao Tula Ram Marg provide alternatives for several journeys through this section of south Delhi.
The diplomatic enclave around Shanti Path could see particularly tight movement controls because foreign delegations will use these corridors during the BRICS Summit.
Mathura Road and Pragati Maidan Routes Affected
Motorists travelling towards Pragati Maidan should also plan carefully.
Traffic approaching Bharat Mandapam through Mathura Road and surrounding corridors may face regulation during the rehearsal.
At Lodhi Road and nearby junctions, police can divert traffic away from controlled stretches.
Motorists may use Lodhi Road, Barapullah Flyover, Lala Lajpat Rai Marg and other connecting routes depending on traffic conditions.
Authorities may also regulate Bhairon Road and roads around Pragati Maidan when motorcade movements begin.
Delhi Airport Passengers Should Leave Early
Passengers heading to Indira Gandhi International Airport should not rely on normal road travel times between 10 AM and 3 PM.
Traffic Police has advised travellers to plan their journeys in advance.
The Delhi Metro offers the most predictable option during road restrictions.
Travellers using taxis or private vehicles from central Delhi, south Delhi, Gurugram or Dwarka should allow a substantial time buffer.
Traffic around Dhaula Kuan and diplomatic-area roads could slow suddenly when convoy movements begin.
Missing a flight because of a security rehearsal can be avoided by starting early.
Railway Passengers Also Need Extra Time
Passengers travelling to:
New Delhi Railway Station
Old Delhi Railway Station
Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station
should also allow additional travel time.
Central Delhi diversions can shift traffic onto connecting roads, creating congestion beyond the roads directly listed in the advisory.
Passengers travelling to Hazrat Nizamuddin may particularly encounter pressure around Mathura Road and nearby corridors.
Public transport may offer a safer option during peak rehearsal periods.
Delhi Metro Remains the Best Alternative
Metro services remain an important alternative for commuters during the rehearsal period.
Unlike road traffic, Metro trains do not depend on motorcade movements.
Office-goers travelling through central Delhi, Connaught Place, south Delhi and airport-linked areas can reduce uncertainty by using the Metro.
Travellers should still allow enough time for the final road journey from the Metro station to their destination.
Why Delhi Is Conducting BRICS Rehearsals
India will host the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 12 and 13, 2026.
Bharat Mandapam at Pragati Maidan will serve as the main summit venue.
The event will bring leaders and delegations from BRICS member countries, partner states and invited nations to the capital.
Security agencies therefore need to test convoy routes, travel times, road-clearance arrangements and coordination between multiple agencies before leaders arrive.
Wednesday’s motorcade rehearsal forms part of those preparations.
Major Global Leaders Expected for BRICS Summit
The BRICS Summit will place New Delhi at the centre of global diplomacy later this month.
India holds the BRICS chairship in 2026.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit India for the summit.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is also expected to travel to India, although governments continue to finalise some participation details.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is also expected to participate.
The arrival of multiple heads of state will require extensive security and traffic arrangements across Delhi.
Authorities have therefore started rehearsals well before the summit.
What Delhi Commuters Should Do Today
People travelling through affected areas should:
Avoid unnecessary trips through central Delhi between 10 AM and 3 PM.
Allow extra time for airport and railway journeys.
Prefer Delhi Metro where practical.
Avoid trying to cross police barricades or regulated corridors.
Follow on-ground traffic police instructions.
Expect diversions to change as motorcades move.
Motorists should also avoid assuming that every listed road will remain closed continuously.
Police will regulate traffic according to rehearsal requirements.
Restrictions End at 3 PM, but Congestion May Last Longer
The scheduled rehearsal window ends at 3 PM.
However, traffic may not return to normal immediately.
Vehicles diverted onto Ring Road, Connaught Place approaches, Lodhi Road and other alternative corridors could create residual congestion after restrictions ease.
Evening commuters should therefore continue monitoring traffic conditions.
For Delhi Traffic Alert Today, the most important period runs from 10 AM to 3 PM on September 2.
With more than 35 roads and 22 diversion points affected by the BRICS Summit motorcade rehearsal, commuters can avoid the worst disruption by using the Metro, leaving early and staying away from central and diplomatic-zone roads whenever possible.
