The Delhi traffic advisory for September 12 restricts vehicle movement on key stretches of central and south Delhi because of the BRICS Summit, with the heaviest curbs expected around the summit venue, VVIP routes and the diplomatic enclave in Chanakyapuri. Commuters heading toward Pragati Maidan, Rajpath, Kartavya Path or Chanakyapuri should plan for detours through Ring Road, Outer Ring Road or Mathura Road. Anyone travelling to or from IGI Airport during the movement windows should budget at least 30-45 extra minutes.
Key Takeaways
- The Delhi traffic advisory applies mainly to central Delhi, Chanakyapuri and the airport corridor on September 12, tied to security arrangements for the BRICS Summit.
- Heavy vehicles and commercial traffic face full or partial bans on several arterial roads during VVIP movement windows.
- Delhi Traffic Police has suggested Ring Road, Outer Ring Road and Mathura Road as the main alternate routes for through-traffic.
- Metro remains the most reliable option, and commuters are advised to avoid non-essential travel near the summit venue altogether.
Why Is There a Delhi Traffic Advisory Today?
Delhi hosts VVIP-level international events every few years, and each time, the same pattern repeats: roads around the venue and the routes leading to it get sealed off in stages as delegations move between the airport, their hotels, and the summit site. This year, with India holding the BRICS chairmanship, Delhi has drawn the diplomatic spotlight again, and the resulting Delhi traffic advisory covers the run-up day and the main summit day itself.
If you were in Delhi during the G20 Summit in September 2023, this will feel familiar. Back then, entire stretches of Lutyens’ Delhi went quiet for hours at a stretch, with barricades appearing well before dawn. Traffic police officers on the ground say this advisory follows a similar template — narrower in geography, but just as strict where it applies.
Which Roads Are Affected by the BRICS Summit Restrictions?
According to the advisory issued by Delhi Traffic Police, restrictions are concentrated around three zones: the summit venue itself, the VVIP transit corridor connecting the airport to central Delhi, and the diplomatic enclave in Chanakyapuri where several delegations are housed. Roads most likely to see closures or heavy regulation include:
| Area | Roads Affected | Nature of Restriction |
| Central Delhi | Rajpath, Kartavya Path, Tilak Marg, Man Singh Road | Full closure during VVIP movement |
| Chanakyapuri | Shanti Path, Nyaya Marg, Satya Marg | Restricted entry, security checks |
| Airport Corridor | Delhi-Gurugram Expressway link roads, Aurobindo Marg | Intermittent halts during motorcades |
| Ring Road belt | Ring Road, Outer Ring Road, Mathura Road | Open, recommended as diversion |
Traffic police typically release these closures in short windows rather than blocking a road for the entire day, so the practical effect of the Delhi traffic advisory is more about unpredictable delays than a total shutdown.
What Are the Alternate Routes for Commuters?
Delhi Traffic Police has pointed commuters toward the Ring Road network as the safest bet for anyone who doesn’t strictly need to enter central Delhi. Here’s a quick breakdown of suggested diversions:
- Commuters travelling from South Delhi to North Delhi should use Outer Ring Road instead of cutting through Lutyens’ Delhi.
- Those heading toward the airport from East or South Delhi are advised to use the Delhi-Gurugram Expressway approach rather than Aurobindo Marg during peak VVIP movement hours.
- Anyone needing to cross Chanakyapuri should route via Africa Avenue or Sardar Patel Marg instead of Shanti Path.
- Commercial and heavy vehicles are asked to avoid the NDMC area entirely and use the Ring Road bypass.
None of this is unfamiliar territory for long-time Delhi residents — every major international event in the capital, from the Commonwealth Games years back to the more recent G20, has followed the same logic of pushing bulk traffic to the outer ring while VVIP corridors stay clear.
Is the Metro a Better Option Today?
Yes, largely. The Delhi Metro network runs unaffected by road closures, and stations near the restricted zones — Central Secretariat, Udyog Bhawan and Race Course — remain functional, though entry and exit may be regulated depending on security assessment on the day. For office-goers in Connaught Place, Khan Market or Lodhi Road, the metro is genuinely the least stressful choice while the Delhi traffic advisory is active.
How Does This Compare to Past VVIP Traffic Advisories in Delhi?
This is the original angle worth noting: Delhi’s traffic planning for foreign summits has actually gotten more efficient over the past decade, even if it doesn’t always feel that way to someone stuck at a barricade. During the 2023 BRICS and G20-related events, average delay times on diversion routes were around 20-25 minutes longer than usual, based on commuter reports and local news coverage at the time. Traffic police have since refined their staggered-closure approach — opening roads in short bursts between motorcades rather than sealing them for hours — which should, in theory, make today’s disruption shorter-lived than what Delhi saw in 2023, provided the security schedule holds.
The honest caveat here is that VVIP movement timings are rarely announced precisely in advance for security reasons, so even the best-planned commute can run into an unscheduled halt near the restricted zones.
What Should Commuters Do Today?
Practical steps that actually help on a day like this:
- Check the Delhi Traffic Police handle for real-time updates before stepping out, since closures shift through the day.
- Avoid Rajpath, Kartavya Path and Chanakyapuri entirely unless travel there is unavoidable.
- Keep extra buffer time for airport runs — 45 minutes to an hour beyond your usual travel time is a safe margin.
- Prefer the metro over a cab or personal vehicle if your destination is anywhere close to the restricted zones.
FAQ
What is the Delhi traffic advisory for September 12 about?
It’s a set of road restrictions and diversions issued by Delhi Traffic Police because of security arrangements for the BRICS Summit, affecting central Delhi, Chanakyapuri and airport-linked roads.
Which roads are completely closed today?
Rajpath, Kartavya Path, Tilak Marg and parts of Man Singh Road see full closure during VVIP movement windows, while Chanakyapuri roads face restricted entry.
What are the best alternate routes in Delhi today?
Ring Road, Outer Ring Road and Mathura Road are the routes Delhi Traffic Police recommends for through-traffic avoiding the summit zone.
Will the Delhi Metro be affected by the BRICS restrictions?
Metro services continue to run normally, though entry and exit at a few central stations may be regulated depending on the security situation.
How long will these traffic restrictions last?
Restrictions are expected to stay active through the summit day, with intensity varying around actual VVIP movement timings rather than lasting all day uniformly.
Bottom line: the Delhi traffic advisory today is less about total gridlock and more about unpredictable pockets of delay near the summit zone. Stick to Ring Road, lean on the metro where you can, and build in extra time — that’s really all this comes down to.