New Delhi faced significant traffic disruptions on Friday as rain interfered with the Republic Day dress rehearsal, leading authorities to schedule another full dress rehearsal for Saturday. The rehearsal will commence at 10:15 am from Vijay Chowk and proceed along Kartavya Path to India Gate, according to official statements.
Road Closures and Traffic Restrictions
Kartavya Path will be completely closed to all vehicular traffic from Vijay Chowk to India Gate between 10:15 am and 12:30 pm during the rehearsal. Cross-traffic on Kartavya Path will face restrictions at major intersections including Rafi Marg, Janpath, and Man Singh Road. India Gate will also remain closed to all vehicles throughout the rehearsal period.
Alternative Routes Suggested
For commuters with unavoidable travel needs, the Delhi Traffic Police has recommended several alternative routes to navigate around the closures. These include Mother Teresa Crescent Road, Sikandra Road, Firozeshah Road, Mathura Road, Subramaniam Bharti Marg, and Motilal Nehru Marg.
Weather Challenges and Security Measures
Despite the inclement weather, security personnel and officials remained at their posts throughout the morning, many equipped with raincoats and reflective vests to brave both the rain and winter chill. Barricades, checkpoints, and deployment plans remained unchanged despite the challenging conditions.
Traffic Congestion Build-up
As restrictions took effect, congestion steadily accumulated on roads feeding into the central ceremonial zone. Areas including parts of ITO, Connaught Place, Mandi House, and Daryaganj experienced significant traffic buildup. The rain further exacerbated the situation by reducing road capacity as drivers slowed down, maintained wider gaps between vehicles, and braked more frequently.
Major Corridors Affected
Heavily loaded corridors such as Ring Road and Vikas Marg suffered particularly severe impacts. Even minor reductions in vehicle speed triggered long queues, with these stretches bearing the brunt of spillover traffic from diverted routes. The Delhi-Gurgaon highway experienced prolonged slowdowns for Gurgaon-bound commuters, while congestion was also reported around Dhaula Kuan, a crucial interchange connecting south and central Delhi.
Commuters' Experiences
Several commuters were forced to reschedule appointments due to the traffic chaos. Medhavi, a resident of Mayur Vihar Phase I, shared her experience: "I had a work meeting at Mandi House at 1 pm. It usually takes no more than 30 minutes, but when I checked Google Maps around noon, it showed a travel time of 1 hour and 19 minutes." She postponed her meeting to 2 pm but still arrived at 2:20 pm.
Arshdeep, who was driving to his office in ITO, reported losing nearly 20 minutes navigating congestion outside Akshardham. "The restrictions were lifted, but traffic built up from multiple directions," he explained.
Social Media Reports and Traffic Police Response
Commuters took to social media platforms to flag various disruptions across the city. While pictures of the congested Delhi-Gurgaon highway circulated widely, users also reported signal failures and extended waiting times near Mehrauli, Qutub Minar, Gurgaon Junction, and Lado Sarai. One commuter posted: "Traffic near Sarai Kale Khan is not moving. Coming from DME, it's choked till Akshardham."
Traffic officers confirmed that advisories had been issued in advance and commuter response was largely as expected. However, one officer noted: "Rain in itself was a big disruption as it slowed vehicular movement and there was a ripple effect after 1 pm, but traffic gradually normalized." The traffic police received 17 calls specifically regarding traffic jams throughout the day.
Persistent Congestion After Restrictions Lifted
Although traffic restrictions were lifted around 1 pm, congestion persisted well into the afternoon hours. The most severe impact was observed on Noida Link Road, in front of Akshardham, and near Sarai Kale Khan, where traffic queues lasted until at least 2 pm despite the official end of rehearsal-related closures.
The combination of Republic Day rehearsal preparations and unexpected rainfall created a perfect storm of traffic challenges for Delhi commuters, highlighting the city's ongoing struggle with infrastructure limitations during major events and adverse weather conditions.
