Independence Day: Delhi Police bans flaying of aerial platforms, imposes traffic curbs

The Delhi Police has issued a traffic advisory in anticipation of Independence Day, implementing specific restrictions around the Red Fort area on Thursday to ensure the smooth movement of invitees and enhance security measures.

The advisory also reaffirmed the ban, effective since August 1, on flying sub-conventional aerial platforms, including para-gliders, UAVs, hot air balloons, and small powered aircraft over the city until Thursday.

Eight key roadways—Netaji Subhash Marg, Lothian Road, SP Mukherjee Marg, Chandni Chowk Road, Nishad Raj Marg, Esplanade Road and its link road to Netaji Subhash Marg, Ring Road from Rajghat to ISBT, and Outer Ring Road from ISBT to IP Flyover—will be closed to general traffic on Thursday, according to the advisory.

Vehicles without parking labels for the Independence Day event are advised to avoid C-Hexagon, India Gate, Copernicus Marg, Mandi House, Sikandra Road, W Point, A Point Tilak Marg, Mathura Road, BSZ Marg, Netaji Subhash Marg, JL Nehru Marg, Ring Road between Nizamuddin Khatta and ISBT Kashmere Gate, and Outer Ring Road from Nizamuddin Khatta to ISBT Kashmere Gate via Salimgarh bypass.

The public is urged not to carry items like cameras, binoculars, remote control car keys, umbrellas, handbags, briefcases, transistors, cigarette lighters, tiffin boxes, water bottles, or lunch boxes.

In case of spotting any suspicious object, the public is advised not to touch it and to immediately inform the nearest police officer.

The prohibition on flying sub-conventional aerial platforms—such as para-gliders, para-motors, hang gliders, UAVs, micro light aircraft, remotely piloted aircraft, hot air balloons, small powered aircraft, quadcopters, or para jumping from aircraft—over Delhi remains in effect until Thursday.

For north-south travel, commuters can use alternative routes via Aurobindo Marg, Safdarjung Road, Kamal Ataturk Marg, Kautilya Marg, SP Marg, 11 Murti, Mother Teresa Crescent, Park Street, Mandir Marg, Panchkula Road, Rani Jhansi Road, and vice-versa.

Similarly, for east-west travel, alternative routes include NH-24 (NH-9) Nizamuddin Khatta, Barapula Road, under AIIMS Flyover Ring Road, NH-24 (NH-9) Nizamuddin Khatta, Ring Road, Bhairon Road, Mathura Road, Subramanian Bharti Marg, Rajesh Pilot Marg, Prithviraj Road, Safdarjung Road, Kamal Ataturk Marg, Panchsheel Marg, SP Marg/Ridge Road, and vice-versa.

Also Read: Delhi Traffic Police issues advisory for Independence Day celebrations

The Old Iron Bridge and Geeta Colony Bridge towards Shanti Van will be closed on Thursday.

Goods vehicles will not be allowed between Nizamuddin Khatta and Wazirabad Bridge from midnight Wednesday to 11 am Thursday. Interstate buses will also be restricted between Maharana Pratap ISBT and Sarai Kale Khan ISBT during the same time frame.

Local city buses, including those from DTC, are advised not to operate on Ring Road between ISBT Kashmere Gate and NH-24 (NH-9)/NH T-point (Nizamuddin Khatta) from midnight Wednesday to 11 am Thursday and should use alternative routes.

Buses that usually terminate at Old Delhi Railway Station, Red Fort, Bhai Mati Dass Chowk, Mon Gate, ISBT Pragati Maidan, and Ambedkar Stadium Terminal will instead terminate at opposite Turkman Gate Asaf Ali Road, reads the advisory issued by Delhi Police. (With inputs from PTI)