As Delhi prepares to welcome the year 2026, the city's traffic police have laid out a comprehensive plan to manage the expected large crowds at the popular hub of Connaught Place. With thousands likely to descend on the area for New Year's Eve celebrations, authorities have issued a detailed advisory outlining road closures, parking arrangements, and alternative routes to ensure a smooth and safe transition into the new year.
Traffic Restrictions and Timings
The Delhi Traffic Police announced that special traffic arrangements will be activated from 7 pm on December 31, 2025. These measures will remain in effect until the conclusion of the New Year festivities. The restrictions are comprehensive and will apply to all private and public transport vehicles, unless a vehicle possesses a specifically granted entry pass.
Key regulation points have been established around Connaught Place. Vehicles will not be allowed to proceed towards the inner circles beyond these designated points. The major intersections and areas where traffic will be halted include:
- Mandi House and Bengali Market
- Patel Chowk and Gole Market
- Windsor Place and the GPO area
- The Ranjit Singh Flyover
- Minto Road and DDU Marg crossing
- Chelmsford Road near New Delhi railway station
- R K Ashram Marg and Chitragupta Marg crossing
- Key intersections on Kasturba Gandhi Road and Jai Singh Road
Parking and Access to Connaught Place
Access to the heart of Connaught Place will be severely restricted. No vehicular traffic will be permitted in the Inner, Middle, or Outer Circle of Connaught Place during the specified hours. The only exception to this rule will be for vehicles carrying a valid entry pass issued by the authorities.
This means that revellers planning to drive to the celebrations must make alternative plans for parking well outside the restricted zone and be prepared to walk the remaining distance. The traffic police advisory is aimed at preventing massive gridlocks and ensuring pedestrian safety in the area where large crowds on foot are anticipated.
Planning Your New Year's Eve Journey
For those heading to Connaught Place to ring in 2026, the advisory serves as a crucial planning tool. Commuters are strongly advised to:
- Familiarize themselves with the list of closed roads and regulation points.
- Consider using public transport like the Delhi Metro, which is expected to be the most reliable way to reach the vicinity.
- If driving, plan to park vehicles in areas far from the restricted zone and use alternate modes of transport for the last leg of the journey.
- Allow for significant extra travel time due to expected diversions and heightened traffic on peripheral roads.
The proactive measures by the Delhi Traffic Police highlight the scale of the New Year's Eve gatherings in the national capital's central district. By announcing these details well in advance, the authorities aim to minimize inconvenience and ensure that the celebrations usher in 2026 with joy and order, rather than chaos and congestion.
