Delhi traffic advisory for Independence Day dress rehearsal today: DMRC urges commuters to use metro amid closure

Delhi Traffic Police issued a travel advisory for Independence Day dress rehearsal today, 13 August. Traffic restrictions are in place around the Red Fort and will remain effective till 10:00 AM. The authorities advised passengers to plan their journey in advance and avoid restricted roads.

Delhi Traffic Police in a post on X stated, “In view of the Full-Dress Rehearsal of Independence Day–2026 at Red Fort on 13.08.2026, traffic restrictions and diversions will remain in force around the Red Fort from 04:00 AM to 10:00 AM for security and public convenience.”

Routes to avoid

Urging commuters to use alternate routes, leave early and allow additional travel time, the advisory listed following restricted routes:

• Netaji Subhash Marg from Delhi Gate to Chatta Rail Chowk.
• Lothian Road from GPO Delhi to Chatta Rail Chowk.
• SP Mukherjee Marg from HC Sen Marg to Yamuna Bazar Chowk.
• Chandni Chowk Road from Fountain Chowk to Red Fort.
• Nishad Raj Marg from Ring Road to Netaji Subhash Marg.
• Esplanade Road and its Link Road to Netaji Subhash Marg.
• Ring Road from Rajghat to ISBT.

Besides these restrictions, vehicles which do not have parking labels need to avoid the following stretches:

C- Hexagon India Gate, Copernicus Marg, Mandi House, Sikandra Road, W Point, A point Tilak Marg, Mathura Road, BSZ Marg, Netaji Subhash Marg, JL Nehru Marg, Ring Road between Nizamuddin Khatta and ISBT Kashmiri Gate & Outer Ring Road from Nizamuddin Khatta & ISBT Kashmiri Gate via Salimgarh bypass.

Routes to take

Delhi Traffic Police listed some alternative routes that commuters can take which are as follows:

• For north-south movement, commuters can use Aurobindo Marg, Safdarjung Road, Kamal Ataturk Marg, Kautilya Marg, S Marg, 11 Murti, Mother Teresa Crescent, Park Street, Mandir Marg, Panchkuian Road and Rani Jhansi Road.
• For east-west movement, commuters can use NH-24/NH-9, Nizamuddin Khatta, Barapulla Road and Ring Road.
• For trans Yamuna to North Delhi movement, commuters can use Pusta Road, GT Road and Yudhister Setu to reach ISBT Kashmere Gate and northern Delhi.

DMRC advises metro use over road trips amid road restrictions

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) urged commuters to use metro services over road trips amid restrictions and closure of key routes. Taking to X, DMRC wrote, “With enhanced security arrangements for the Independence Day full-dress rehearsal and road restrictions in place on 13th August 2026, DMRC appeals to all citizens of Delhi NCR to use the Delhi Metro for their journeys.”

Suggesting that traffic movement will be disrupted due to the dress rehearsal today, it added, “Metro is the safest, fastest, and most reliable way to move across the city during the celebrations. Let’s mark Independence Day responsibly by choosing sustainable public transport.”