Delhi Traffic Advisory: BRICS Motorcade Rehearsal
Bharatmorning.com – The Delhi traffic police issues advisory for a full-scale motorcade rehearsal scheduled September 5, locking down stretches of central and southern arterial roads from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Commuters in affected zones should expect significant disruptions as the city stages a dry run for the ceremonial procession that will escort heads of state during the BRICS summit on September 12 and 13 at Bharat Mandapam.
Scope of the Exercise
The BRICS grouping — Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and newly admitted members — convenes in the capital for a summit carrying substantial diplomatic weight. Authorities are treating the event with operational gravity comparable to G20-level gatherings. The September 5 drill is not a partial test; it validates the full motorcade route, timing protocols, and diversion procedures that will govern the actual summit days. Lessons drawn from the exercise will directly shape arrangements deployed during the summit window.
Affected Corridors and Diversion Points
The notice identifies corridors where movement will be regulated or halted during the rehearsal window. Heavily impacted stretches include Sardar Patel Marg, Mother Teresa Crescent, Teen Murti Marg, Akbar Road, Rajesh Pilot Marg, Subramaniam Bharti Marg, Mathura Road, Moti Lal Nehru Marg, Satya Marg, Dr. Zakir Hussain Marg, Brig. Hoshiyar Singh Marg, and Africa Avenue Road Shanti Path. A second tier — Janpath, Ashoka Road, Barakhamba Road, Tolstoy Marg, Ranjeet Singh Flyover, Niti Marg, Panchsheel Marg, Kemal Attaturk Marg, APJ Abdul Kalam Road, Press Enclave Road, Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, Josef Broz Tito Marg, and Lala Lajpat Rai Marg — may see intermittent regulations as overflow is rerouted.
Twenty-two diversion points have been mapped across the capital. Vehicles approaching from Dr Dinesh Nandini Dalmia Chowk, Ram Charan Aggarwal Chowk, Mir Dard Chowk, the Kasturba Gandhi Marg / Outer Circle Connaught Place junction, and Janpath will be redirected before reaching the restricted zone. Additional rerouting occurs at Patel Chowk, Dhaula Kuan, the RML Hospital roundabout, Vande Matram Marg, Moti Bagh flyover, the Brig Hoshiar Singh Marg roundabout, Madarsa T-Point, Lodhi Road, and Neela Gumbad.
Extended Restrictions and Commuter Guidance
The September 5 exercise is the first phase of a broader operation. Controls remain in force from delegate arrival on September 10 through departure around September 14 — roughly four days of heightened restrictions across central, southern, and southwestern zones. An elaborate movement plan coordinating convoy speeds, escort spacing, and corridor clearance timing is precisely what the rehearsal validates before the real event.
Officials urge the public to plan journeys well in advance, factor in extra travel time, and lean on public transit — particularly the metro, which runs beneath most affected corridors and will remain operational. Drivers should follow designated diversion signage and the directions of personnel on the ground.
For drivers unfamiliar with the junctions: if travelling through central zones between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on September 5, assume your usual route is unavailable and allow a substantial buffer in travel time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which metro lines remain operational during the rehearsal? The metro network runs beneath most affected corridors and will stay open throughout the restricted window, making it the most reliable alternative for commuters.
How long will road restrictions last beyond September 5? Controls remain active from September 10 through approximately September 14, covering the full delegate arrival and departure period.
Are private vehicles completely banned from the motorcade corridor? Movement will be regulated or halted on primary corridors during the 10 a.m.–4 p.m. window. Secondary routes may see intermittent checks rather than full closures.