NEW DELHI — New Delhi is facing a major traffic headache as India prepares to host the 18th BRICS Summit, with security restrictions, road diversions and movements of foreign leaders disrupting normal travel across the capital.
The summit is being held from September 11 to 13 at Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan, bringing leaders and delegations from BRICS member countries to the Indian capital. The arrival and movement of high-profile visitors have triggered extensive security preparations—and significant disruption for ordinary commuters.
For millions of Delhi residents, the diplomatic spectacle has come with a familiar price: longer journeys, sudden diversions and roads that can be closed with little warning.
More than 35 roads affected
Delhi Traffic Police have identified more than 35 major roads and 22 diversion points that could be affected during the summit period.
Restrictions are concentrated around central and south Delhi, key diplomatic routes and roads connecting important transport hubs. Areas around Bharat Mandapam, Lutyens’ Delhi, Dhaula Kuan and the airport corridor are among those expected to experience disruption as VIP convoys move through the city.
Authorities have emphasized that Delhi is not being placed under a complete lockdown.
Instead, traffic may be stopped or diverted temporarily as foreign leaders and their motorcades pass through designated routes. That distinction matters because even a short VVIP road closure can quickly create congestion on surrounding streets.
Public holiday declared to reduce congestion
The government has taken an unusual step to reduce the pressure on the roads: September 11 has been declared a public holiday in Delhi, with government offices and schools closed and many private companies encouraging employees to work from home.
The objective is straightforward—reduce the number of vehicles on the streets while giving security agencies greater control over movement.
But the measures have not eliminated disruption.
The Associated Press reported that commuters, delivery workers and daily wage earners were still struggling to navigate road closures and constantly changing traffic restrictions. Some residents have turned to social media for updates as routes change.
Airport passengers warned to leave early
One of the biggest concerns is travel to and from Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Routes around Dhaula Kuan, Moti Bagh and other major junctions can experience diversions during VVIP movements. Authorities are advising passengers to allow additional travel time and consider the Delhi Metro where practical.
The same caution applies to passengers heading toward New Delhi, Old Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations.
The traffic plan includes alternative routes intended to keep essential journeys moving, but commuters are being urged to check the latest advisories before leaving.
Thousands of police deployed
The traffic disruption is being accompanied by an unusually heavy security presence.
The Times of India reported that roughly 4,800 traffic police personnel have been deployed to manage the VVIP movements and coordinate traffic during the summit.
Indian authorities have also strengthened security around the capital, with reports of additional surveillance and counter-drone measures as leaders arrive.
The scale of the operation reflects the importance of the gathering: the BRICS grouping now includes 11 member countries, representing a major share of the world’s population and emerging-market economies.
Delhi has been here before
The traffic restrictions are not unprecedented.
New Delhi faced similar disruptions when it hosted the G20 summit in 2023, when extensive road controls and security arrangements temporarily transformed parts of the capital.
This time, authorities are again attempting to balance two competing demands: providing secure routes for world leaders while keeping a city of millions functioning.
For commuters, however, the experience can feel very different from the diplomatic importance of the event.
A road that is normally part of a daily commute can suddenly become inaccessible. A journey that usually takes 30 minutes can stretch much longer when traffic is diverted into already crowded neighboring roads.
The bigger BRICS picture
The traffic disruption is ultimately a consequence of India’s effort to stage a major international diplomatic gathering in the heart of its capital.
The 2026 BRICS Summit comes as the group seeks to expand its influence in the Global South and push for a more representative international order. The meeting brings together major emerging economies at a time of geopolitical tensions, trade disputes and shifting global alliances.
For India, hosting the summit is an opportunity to showcase New Delhi as a major diplomatic and economic center.
For Delhi’s commuters, though, the immediate question is much more practical:
Can they get where they need to go?
With VVIP movements continuing through the summit weekend, traffic officials are warning residents to plan ahead, use public transportation where possible and follow official diversion instructions.
And as world leaders move through the capital behind layers of security, millions of ordinary Delhi residents are discovering that the biggest BRICS challenge may be waiting for them on the road home.
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