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As Delhi gears up for Republic Day on January 26, authorities have announced major travel updates. To ease commuting amid tight security and road restrictions,
Delhi Metro will start services at 3:00 AM on all lines, helping spectators and staff reach parade venues smoothly. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) made this special arrangement to facilitate the smooth movement of people to Kartavya Path and enable them to witness the Republic Day celebrations.
What Commuters Need To Know While Travelling in Delhi Metro?
Trains will operate at intervals of 15 minutes on all lines from 3:00 AM to 6:00 AM, to ensure convenient and hassle-free travel for commuters. After 6.00 AM, the metro services will follow the regular timetable for the rest of the day.
Passengers have been advised to plan their journeys and make use of the early morning Metro services to avoid last-minute inconvenience, especially those heading towards Kartavya Path to attend the national celebrations.
Parking Facilities at Delhi Metro Stations
Parking facilities at metro stations across the entire network will remain fully operational on Republic Day, providing added convenience to commuters and visitors attending the celebrations in the national capital.
While the metro announcements will guide ticket and pass holders travelling to the parade venue, the QR code-based system will help nearly 8,000 vehicles park at designated locations close to the respective seating enclosures.
Also Read: No More Parking Hassle This Republic Day: How Delhi Metro QR Codes Will Guide 8,000 Vehicles on January 26
QR-Based Metro Parking System
A QR code-based parking system has been introduced to assist spectators arriving by vehicle. The system covers 22 designated parking lots. Under the arrangement, parking pass holders can scan the QR codes printed on their passes to access real-time directions to the parking lots closest to their seating enclosures, from where they can walk to their seats.
All enclosures for this year's Republic Day parade have been named after rivers, and commuters will be directed to specific metro stations depending on whether their allotted seating enclosure lies to the north or south of the Kartavya Path, officials said.
According to the announcements, spectators seated on the southern side and allotted enclosures such as Beas, Brahmaputra, Chambal, Chenab, Gandak, Ganga, Ghagra, Godavari, Sindhu and Jhelum will be asked to get down at Udyog Bhawan Metro Station.
Republic Day 2026
Republic Day commemorates the day when the Constitution of India came into effect on January 26, 1950, marking India’s transition from a British dominion to a sovereign democratic republic. The first Republic Day was celebrated in 1950, and the count has continued annually since then.
This year, India will celebrate its 77th Republic Day, observed as a national holiday across the country, with flag-hoisting ceremonies, cultural programmes, and patriotic events organized in government offices, schools, and local communities nationwide.
The Kartavya Path in New Delhi will host the customary grand military and cultural parade to commemorate the occasion. The parade will feature marching contingents from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Central Armed Police Forces, along with vibrant tableaux presented by various states, Union Territories, and Central ministries.
A first-of-its-kind ‘battle array’ formation will also be showcased, depicting military units moving in an operational sequence rather than as a static display. New units, including the Bhairav Light Commando Battalion, will be part of this year’s line-up.
