Delhi Traffic Police has issued a detailed traffic advisory ahead of Independence Day 2026 celebrations at the Red Fort, warning commuters of major road closures, diversions and restrictions in central and northern parts of the national capital on August 15.
The Independence Day ceremony will be held at the Red Fort, where the Prime Minister of India will address the nation. To ensure smooth movement of authorised vehicles and maintain security around the venue, several roads will remain closed to general traffic during the early morning hours.
Red Fort Traffic Restrictions on August 15
According to the advisory, restrictions will remain in force from 4:00 AM to 10:00 AM on August 15, 2026. Only vehicles carrying valid and authorised labels will be permitted on the designated restricted stretches.
The following roads will be closed to general traffic during the specified period:
- Netaji Subhash Marg between Delhi Gate and Chatta Rail Chowk.
- Lothian Road from GPO Delhi to Chatta Rail Chowk.
- S.P. Mukherjee Marg between H.C. Sen Marg and Yamuna Bazar Chowk.
- Chandni Chowk Road from Fountain Chowk to the Red Fort.
- Nishad Raj Marg between Ring Road and Netaji Subhash Marg.
- Esplanade Road and Link Road towards Netaji Subhash Marg.
- Ring Road between Rajghat and ISBT Kashmere Gate.
The traffic restrictions are expected to affect commuters travelling through the Red Fort, Old Delhi, Kashmere Gate and adjoining areas.
Roads Commuters Should Avoid
Delhi Traffic Police has also advised motorists without valid parking labels to avoid several important roads between 4:00 AM and 10:00 AM on August 15.
The roads listed under the advisory include C-Hexagon near India Gate, Copernicus Marg, Mandi House, Tilak Marg, Mathura Road, BSZ Marg, Netaji Subhash Marg and J.L. Nehru Marg.
Traffic movement will also be affected on the Ring Road between Nizamuddin Khatta and ISBT Kashmere Gate and the Outer Ring Road via Salimgarh Bypass.
The restrictions are part of the wider security and traffic management arrangements for the Independence Day ceremony.
Alternative Routes for North-South Traffic
Commuters travelling between northern and southern parts of Delhi have been advised to use alternative corridors to bypass restricted areas.
One suggested route is Aurobindo Marg → Safdarjung Road → Kamal Ataturk Marg → Kautilya Marg → S.P. Marg → 11 Murti → Mother Teresa Crescent → Park Street → Mandir Marg → Panchkuian Road → Rani Jhansi Road.
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Motorists are encouraged to plan their journeys in advance because traffic volume may increase considerably on alternative routes during the restriction period.
East-West and Trans-Yamuna Alternatives
For east-west movement, commuters can use NH-24/NH-9 → Nizamuddin Khatta → Barapulla Road → Ring Road.
An alternative route is available through DND → Barapulla Road/Ring Road, depending on the travel direction and prevailing traffic conditions.
For motorists travelling from Trans-Yamuna areas towards North Delhi, the suggested route is Pusta Road → GT Road → Yudhister Setu → ISBT Kashmere Gate.
These routes are intended to reduce congestion around the Red Fort and help maintain the flow of traffic during the Independence Day security arrangements.
Goods Vehicles and Bus Restrictions
The advisory also contains specific restrictions for commercial vehicles and buses.
Goods vehicles will not be permitted between Nizamuddin Khatta and Wazirabad Bridge from midnight on August 14 until 11:00 AM on August 15. This restriction is expected to affect freight movement through major corridors around central and northern Delhi.
Interstate buses will also not be permitted between Maharana Pratap ISBT and Sarai Kale Khan ISBT during the specified period.
City buses and Delhi Transport Corporation services operating through affected corridors will be diverted according to the traffic management plan.
Delhi Traffic Police Issues Public Advisory
Delhi Traffic Police has urged residents and visitors to plan their journeys well in advance and leave home early wherever possible. Commuters have been advised to avoid restricted roads and select alternative routes to minimise delays.
Motorists should also follow traffic signs, variable message signs and instructions issued by traffic personnel deployed across the affected areas.
The advisory further asks commuters to allow additional travel time and remain updated through official Delhi Traffic Police channels for real-time traffic information.
Authorities have also issued a security-related warning, asking the public not to touch suspicious or unidentified objects and to immediately alert the nearest police personnel if anything unusual is noticed.
With Independence Day celebrations approaching, commuters travelling through central Delhi, Old Delhi, India Gate, Ring Road, Kashmere Gate and adjoining areas are advised to carefully check the traffic arrangements before beginning their journey on August 15.
The traffic restrictions are aimed at balancing public convenience with the security requirements of one of the country’s most important national ceremonies.
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