Independence Day Rehearsal Brings Delhi to a Standstill: Traffic Jams and Security Tightened
Commuters across Delhi faced severe traffic disruptions on Thursday morning as restrictions imposed for the full-dress rehearsal of the 80th Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort collided with peak-hour rush. Long queues of vehicles stretched on key routes, with diversions and road closures adding to the chaos.
The Delhi-Dehradun highway witnessed a significant build-up of vehicles after the movement of heavy goods vehicles was barred from 10 p.m. on Wednesday until 11 a.m. on Thursday. Even after restrictions were lifted, the accumulated backlog took time to clear, leaving motorists stranded for extended periods.
In central Delhi, road closures around Red Fort forced commuters heading to railway stations, schools, and offices to navigate unfamiliar diversions. Social media was abuzz with complaints about blocked routes and inadequate advance information. One commuter posted on X, “Trying to reach the railway station and all directions are blocked due to Independence Day prep. If you travel today, more roads are blocked than announced. Put in extra time.”
Key pressure points included the stretch near Shanti Van Chowk and Rajghat, where many drivers ignored advisories and followed familiar routes, inadvertently entering restricted zones. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic, Central Range) Nishant Gupta said, “Despite the traffic restrictions announced in advance, commuters did not follow the diversions and ended up getting stuck on the restricted routes. Our personnel were guiding them to take alternative routes.”
Another bottleneck emerged beneath the IP Flyover and near the Hanuman Mandir stretch. Vehicles were being diverted towards Mori Gate, but some motorists attempted to use Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Marg towards Old Delhi Railway Station, creating additional chokepoints. The congestion on the Delhi-Dehradun highway was linked directly to the heavy vehicle restrictions, Mr. Gupta added.
Meanwhile, Delhi Police and security agencies intensified preparations for the main ceremony on August 15. The full-dress rehearsal tested security arrangements, traffic management, and personnel movement at the historic venue. Residents in central Delhi got a preview of the main event as helicopters showered the venue with tricolour petals and students assembled in formations similar to the planned Independence Day programme.
“The entire police force is on high alert. We conducted a full-dress rehearsal today, in which we identified areas for improvement and will further strengthen the arrangements based on those observations,” said Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Devesh Chandra Srivastava.
Security has been intensified around Red Fort and across central Delhi, with police conducting foot patrols, checking hotels and homestays, running mock drills, and identifying habitual offenders. Bike Tiranga rallies have also been held as part of the preparatory exercises.
In north-east Delhi, around 200 police personnel, including station house officers, participated in a mock drill focused on crowd control and responses to agitations, demonstrations, and riot-like situations. Participants underwent practical training in deploying water cannons, Vajra vehicles, tear-smoke guns, and other anti-riot equipment, with emphasis on coordination, quick response, and tactical positioning.
Security has also been strengthened at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport ahead of Independence Day. The Central Industrial Security Force has increased deployment, with random checks and thorough inspections being carried out across the airport premises.
