The Delhi Traffic Police has announced traffic restrictions and diversions around the Red Fort ahead of Independence Day celebrations on August 15. Several
roads near the Red Fort will remain closed to regular traffic from 4 am to 10 am on August 15. Only vehicles with valid labels will be allowed to use these roads. The restricted roads include Netaji Subhash Marg between Delhi Gate and Chhatta Rail Chowk, Lothian Road between GPO Delhi and Chhatta Rail Chowk, S P Mukherjee Marg between HC Sen Marg and Yamuna Bazar Chowk, and Chandni Chowk Road between Fountain Chowk and the Red Fort. Restrictions will also be in place on Nishad Raj Marg, Esplanade Road, Link Road towards Netaji Subhash Marg and Ring Road between Rajghat and ISBT Kashmere Gate. People without valid parking labels have also been advised to avoid several other roads between 4 am and 10 am. These include C-Hexagon at India Gate, Copernicus Marg, Mandi House, Tilak Marg, Mathura Road, BSZ Marg, Netaji Subhash Marg, JL Nehru Marg and parts of Ring Road and Outer Ring Road.
Alternate Routes For Commuters
The traffic police has suggested alternate routes to help commuters travel across the city during the restrictions. For north-south movement, commuters can use Aurobindo Marg, Safdarjung Road, Kamal Ataturk Marg, Kautilya Marg, S P Marg, Mother Teresa Crescent, Park Street, Mandir Marg, Panchkuian Road and Rani Jhansi Road.For east-west movement, commuters can take NH-24/NH-9, Nizamuddin Khatta, Barapulla Road and Ring Road. DND can also be used as an alternative route. For travel between Trans-Yamuna and North Delhi, commuters can take Pusta Road, GT Road, Yudhister Setu and ISBT Kashmere Gate.
Restrictions on Buses and Commercial Vehicles
The traffic restrictions will also apply to goods vehicles and buses. Goods vehicles will not be allowed between Nizamuddin Khatta and Wazirabad Bridge from midnight on August 14 until 11 am on August 15. Interstate buses will also not be allowed to operate between Maharana Pratap ISBT and Sarai Kale Khan ISBT during this period.City buses and Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) services will be diverted from roads affected by the traffic restrictions. The Delhi Traffic Police has advised people to plan their journeys in advance, leave early and avoid restricted routes. Commuters have also been asked to follow traffic signs, variable message signs and instructions from traffic personnel.
People have been advised not to touch any suspicious or unidentified object and to immediately inform the nearest police personnel. The restrictions have been put in place to ensure the smooth and safe conduct of the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort on August 15.
