Independence Day 2026: Delhi traffic police issues advisory for full-dress rehearsal on August 13. Check full list
According to the advisory, only labelled vehicles will be permitted on Netaji Subhash Marg between Delhi Gate and Chatta Rail Chowk
- Aug 12, 2026,
- Updated Aug 12, 2026 2:18 PM IST
Delhi is set to witness traffic restrictions ahead of Independence Day 2026, with the full-dress rehearsal for the August 15 celebrations scheduled at the Red Fort on Thursday, August 13. The Delhi Traffic Police has issued an advisory to help commuters plan their journeys and avoid congestion around central and north Delhi. Several roads will remain closed or restricted between 4 am and 10 am for traffic, while diversions will be put in place for commuters.
Roads closed around Red Fort
According to the advisory, only labelled vehicles will be permitted on Netaji Subhash Marg between Delhi Gate and Chatta Rail Chowk, Lothian Road from GPO Delhi to Chatta Rail Chowk, and S.P. Mukherjee Marg from H.C. Sen Marg to Yamuna Bazar Chowk.
READ THIS: 'Hoist the Tricolour with pride': PM Modi’s Har Ghar Tiranga message ahead of Independence Day
Restrictions will apply on Chandni Chowk Road between Fountain Chowk and Red Fort, Nishad Raj Marg between Ring Road and Netaji Subhash Marg, Esplanade Road and Link Road to Netaji Subhash Marg, and Ring Road between Rajghat and ISBT Kashmere Gate.
Road commuters should avoid
Commuters without rehearsal parking labels have been advised to avoid C-Hexagon India Gate, Copernicus Marg, Mandi House, Sikandra Road, Tilak Marg, Mathura Road and BSZ Marg during these hours.
Traffic Police has advised motorists to avoid Netaji Subhash Marg, J.L. Nehru Marg, Ring Road between Nizamuddin Khatta and ISBT Kashmere Gate, and the Outer Ring Road via Salimgarh Bypass.
Alternative routes
For north-south movement, commuters can use Aurobindo Marg, Safdarjung Road, Kamal Ataturk Marg, Kautilya Marg, Sardar Patel Marg, 11 Murti, Mother Teresa Crescent, Park Street, Mandir Marg, Panchkuian Road and Rani Jhansi Road.
For east-west movement, commuters can take NH-24/NH-9 towards Nizamuddin Khatta, Barapulla Road and Ring Road. DND can be used as an alternative via Barapulla Road or Ring Road. Those travelling from Trans-Yamuna towards north Delhi can take Pusta Road, GT Road and Yudhister Setu towards ISBT Kashmere Gate.
ALSO READ: Cars24 boat on Gurugram’s waterlogged road goes viral, ₹50,000 challan claim surfaces
Restrictions on commercial vehicles and buses
Commercial vehicles will not be permitted between Nizamuddin Khatta and Wazirabad Bridge from midnight on August 12 until 11 am on August 13. Interstate buses will not be allowed between Maharana Pratap ISBT and Sarai Kale Khan ISBT during this period. Local city buses and DTC services will be diverted from affected corridors, while normal bus operations are expected to resume after 11 am, subject to clearance.
Delhi is set to witness traffic restrictions ahead of Independence Day 2026, with the full-dress rehearsal for the August 15 celebrations scheduled at the Red Fort on Thursday, August 13. The Delhi Traffic Police has issued an advisory to help commuters plan their journeys and avoid congestion around central and north Delhi. Several roads will remain closed or restricted between 4 am and 10 am for traffic, while diversions will be put in place for commuters.
Roads closed around Red Fort
According to the advisory, only labelled vehicles will be permitted on Netaji Subhash Marg between Delhi Gate and Chatta Rail Chowk, Lothian Road from GPO Delhi to Chatta Rail Chowk, and S.P. Mukherjee Marg from H.C. Sen Marg to Yamuna Bazar Chowk.
READ THIS: 'Hoist the Tricolour with pride': PM Modi’s Har Ghar Tiranga message ahead of Independence Day
Restrictions will apply on Chandni Chowk Road between Fountain Chowk and Red Fort, Nishad Raj Marg between Ring Road and Netaji Subhash Marg, Esplanade Road and Link Road to Netaji Subhash Marg, and Ring Road between Rajghat and ISBT Kashmere Gate.
Road commuters should avoid
Commuters without rehearsal parking labels have been advised to avoid C-Hexagon India Gate, Copernicus Marg, Mandi House, Sikandra Road, Tilak Marg, Mathura Road and BSZ Marg during these hours.
Traffic Police has advised motorists to avoid Netaji Subhash Marg, J.L. Nehru Marg, Ring Road between Nizamuddin Khatta and ISBT Kashmere Gate, and the Outer Ring Road via Salimgarh Bypass.
Alternative routes
For north-south movement, commuters can use Aurobindo Marg, Safdarjung Road, Kamal Ataturk Marg, Kautilya Marg, Sardar Patel Marg, 11 Murti, Mother Teresa Crescent, Park Street, Mandir Marg, Panchkuian Road and Rani Jhansi Road.
For east-west movement, commuters can take NH-24/NH-9 towards Nizamuddin Khatta, Barapulla Road and Ring Road. DND can be used as an alternative via Barapulla Road or Ring Road. Those travelling from Trans-Yamuna towards north Delhi can take Pusta Road, GT Road and Yudhister Setu towards ISBT Kashmere Gate.
ALSO READ: Cars24 boat on Gurugram’s waterlogged road goes viral, ₹50,000 challan claim surfaces
Restrictions on commercial vehicles and buses
Commercial vehicles will not be permitted between Nizamuddin Khatta and Wazirabad Bridge from midnight on August 12 until 11 am on August 13. Interstate buses will not be allowed between Maharana Pratap ISBT and Sarai Kale Khan ISBT during this period. Local city buses and DTC services will be diverted from affected corridors, while normal bus operations are expected to resume after 11 am, subject to clearance.