The Delhi Traffic Police has issued a traffic advisory ahead of Independence Day celebrations on August 15, announcing road closures and diversions around the Red Fort. The restrictions will be in force from 4 am to 10 am on August 15 as security arrangements are put in place for the national celebrations. General traffic will not be permitted on several key roads in the area during this period, while only vehicles carrying valid parking labels will be allowed on specified routes. According to the advisory, Netaji Subhash Marg will be closed between Delhi Gate and Chhatta Rail Chowk. Restrictions will also apply to Lothian Road between GPO Delhi and Chhatta Rail Chowk, SP Mukherjee Marg between HC Sen Marg and Yamuna Bazar Chowk, and Chandni Chowk Road between Fountain Chowk and the Red Fort.
Commuters using these roads have been advised to plan their journeys in advance and follow the diversions announced by the traffic police. Other roads that will remain closed to general traffic include Nishad Raj Marg between Ring Road and Netaji Subhash Marg, along with Esplanade Road and the link road leading towards Netaji Subhash Marg. Ring Road between Rajghat and ISBT Kashmere Gate will also be affected. The restrictions are intended to facilitate the movement of authorised vehicles and ensure smooth traffic management around the Red Fort, where the Independence Day celebrations will be held.
The traffic police has also advised commuters without valid parking labels to avoid a wider set of roads between 4 am and 10 am. These include the C-Hexagon at India Gate, Copernicus Marg, Mandi House, Tilak Marg, Mathura Road, BSZ Marg, Netaji Subhash Marg and JL Nehru Marg. Restrictions will also affect Ring Road between Nizamuddin Khatta and ISBT Kashmere Gate and the Outer Ring Road via Salimgarh Bypass. The advisory is particularly relevant for commuters travelling through central, north and east Delhi during the early morning hours. With several major arterial roads affected simultaneously, regular routes could experience changes in traffic flow even beyond the immediate vicinity of the Red Fort. Motorists have therefore been advised to take note of the restrictions before beginning their journey and allow additional travel time where necessary.
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To maintain connectivity during the restrictions, Delhi Traffic Police has suggested alternate routes for different directions of travel. Diversion arrangements have been planned to facilitate north-south, east-west and trans-Yamuna movement while the roads surrounding the Red Fort remain restricted. Commuters are expected to follow traffic personnel and use the designated alternative routes rather than attempting to enter restricted stretches. The restrictions are part of the security and traffic arrangements for Independence Day celebrations, when the Red Fort becomes the focus of major national events and heightened security measures. The early-morning closure window has been fixed from 4 am to 10 am, covering the period when security restrictions and movement of authorised vehicles are expected to be at their peak.
Residents and visitors travelling through central and northern parts of Delhi on August 15 should therefore check their routes before leaving. Those without valid parking labels should avoid the notified roads during the restriction period and use the suggested alternative routes. Following the advisory will help commuters avoid roadblocks and reduce congestion on surrounding roads. The Delhi Traffic Police has urged motorists to cooperate with traffic personnel and comply with the temporary restrictions. Since several important routes will be closed or diverted simultaneously, commuters are advised to plan ahead, particularly if they need to travel through the Red Fort, Chandni Chowk, Kashmere Gate, Rajghat or adjoining areas between 4 am and 10 am on Independence Day.
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