Traffic crawls across Delhi as summit rehearsal triggers diversions, congestion

Traffic movement slowed across several parts of the national capital on Tuesday afternoon as restrictions and diversions imposed for a high-level summit rehearsal at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi led to long snarls and commuter frustration on key stretches.

Heavy congestion was reported from parts of central, north and south Delhi between noon and 3 pm, particularly on roads leading towards the New Delhi district, with many office-goers and commuters complaining of delays.

Delhi Traffic Police had earlier issued an advisory regarding the rehearsal being conducted ahead of the ‘International Big Cat Alliance Summit’ and the ‘India-Africa Forum Summit’, scheduled at Bharat Mandapam from May 28 to June 1.

Commuters took to social media platform X to complain about prolonged traffic jams and poor lane discipline at several locations.

“Delhi doesn’t believe in traffic management. Status at 12.30 pm on 19.05.26 – stuck in traffic jam,” an X user posted, sharing visuals of vehicles moving bumper-to-bumper near the Ridge Road.

The commuter further wrote that despite the roundabout on the Ridge Road being located barely 20 metres from Hindu Rao Hospital and within 700 metres of the official residences of the chief minister and lieutenant governor, “traffic indiscipline and nuisance remain a daily feature.”

Similar complaints surfaced from areas around Tilak Marg, Mathura Road, SP Marg and Connaught Place, where motorists said diversions led to traffic spillover on internal roads.

“Maps kept rerouting every five minutes but every road ahead looked choked,” said another commuter.

Many commuters also complained that commercial vehicles, cabs and buses competing for narrow diversion routes worsened congestion at intersections.

According to the advisory, entry into the New Delhi district was restricted mainly through Ring Road and Vande Mataram Marg, while movement on stretches such as SP Marg and Mathura Road remained affected during the rehearsal period.

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Traffic police had advised commuters travelling between north and south Delhi to use Ring Road via Rajghat and Sarai Kale Khan, while those travelling between west and south Delhi were asked to take Ring Road through Dhaula Kuan, Moti Bagh and Bikaji Cama Place.

Airport-bound commuters, however, were allowed movement through NH-8 and Gurgaon Road via Dhaula Kuan.