Kathmandu— The Delhi Traffic Police has issued a detailed traffic advisory for August 13th and 15th, announcing extensive road closures, diversions, and restrictions on various vehicles in the vicinity of Red Fort. These measures are being implemented to facilitate both a full-dress rehearsal for the Independence Day ceremony on August 13th and the main event on August 15th, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address the nation. The advisory impacts general traffic, commercial transport, interstate buses, and city bus services, with restrictions beginning as early as midnight on certain dates.

Road Closures Around Red Fort

Several key roads surrounding the Red Fort will be closed to general traffic from 4 am to 10 am on both August 13th and August 15th. Access will be limited to vehicles displaying authorized labels. Affected stretches include Netaji Subhash Marg, Lothian Road, S P Mukherjee Marg, Chandni Chowk Road, Nishad Raj Marg, Esplanade Road, and a section of Ring Road. Motorists without parking labels are advised to avoid routes around C-Hexagon near India Gate, Copernicus Marg, Mandi House, Tilak Marg, Mathura Road, BSZ Marg, J L Nehru Marg, and parts of Ring Road and Outer Ring Road.

Alternative Routes Provided

The traffic police have outlined alternative routes for both north-south and east-west travel to mitigate the impact of closures. For north-south movement, commuters are directed to utilize Aurobindo Marg, Safdarjung Road, Kamal Ataturk Marg, Mother Teresa Crescent, Mandir Marg, Panchkuian Road, and Rani Jhansi Road. East-west connectivity will be maintained via NH-24/NH-9, Nizamuddin Khatta, Barapulla Road, and Ring Road, with options including DND, Vikas Marg, IP Marg, DDU Marg, and Minto Road. The DND-NH-24/NH-9 route to Ring Road will remain open, though the Old Iron Bridge and Geeta Colony Bridge towards Shanti Van will be closed.

Restrictions on Commercial and Public Transport

Restrictions on commercial vehicles will begin at midnight preceding each restricted day. Goods vehicles are prohibited between Nizamuddin Khatta and Wazirabad Bridge from midnight August 12th to 11 am August 13th, and again from midnight August 14th to 11 am August 15th. Interstate buses will be rerouted between Maharana Pratap ISBT and Sarai Kale Khan ISBT during these periods. City bus services, including DTC routes along Ring Road between ISBT Kashmiri Gate and Nizamuddin Khatta, will also be suspended. Several inter-city and DTC bus routes will be diverted or curtailed, with terminating points adjusted to Ramlila Ground, Mori Gate, Tis Hazari, and Boulevard Road.

Security Measures in Place

In addition to traffic restrictions, the Delhi Traffic Police has implemented security measures for the Independence Day celebrations. Commuters are advised not to carry items such as cameras, binoculars, umbrellas, handbags, briefcases, cigarette lighters, tiffin boxes, or water bottles during the ceremony. The public is urged to report any suspicious objects or activity to nearby police personnel. Furthermore, the operation of paragliders, paramotors, UAVs, remotely piloted aircraft, hot air balloons, quadcopters and similar aerial platforms is prohibited across Delhi from August 2nd to August 16th.

The Delhi Traffic Police has requested commuters to plan their journeys in advance and cooperate with the implemented restrictions to ensure a smooth and secure Independence Day celebration. Adequate signage will be installed at major junctions to guide motorists.

(With inputs from ANI)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.