NEW DELHI: Delhi has been placed under a high-security cover ahead of the two-day 18th BRICS Summit at Bharat Mandapam, with around 15,000 Delhi Police personnel, 200 companies of paramilitary forces and more than 500 CCTV cameras deployed across the capital.The Delhi Traffic Police said there would be no citywide shutdown, but commuters should brace for temporary stoppages, diversions and restrictions as VVIP convoys move through the city. Traffic will be regulated wherever required, with vehicles released in phases depending on security conditions and the movement of dignitaries.“We have made elaborate arrangements by ensuring minimum inconvenience to the public. We have also issued advance advisories on traffic arrangements,” a senior police officer said.Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Delhi early Friday for the summit, while China has confirmed President Xi Jinping’s participation, his first visit to India in seven years.Other leaders expected at the summit include Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Check your route first before planning your travel
35+ roads likely to be affected
More than 35 roads could see restrictions or diversions during the summit. These include Mathura Road, Sardar Patel Marg, Shanti Path, Janpath, Ashoka Road, Barakhamba Road, Tolstoy Marg, Africa Avenue Road, Niti Marg, Panchsheel Marg and APJ Abdul Kalam Road.The impact is likely to be felt most by commuters travelling between Noida and central Delhi, east Delhi and central areas, and from Dwarka and west Delhi towards Dhaula Kuan, the airport and south Delhi.The movement of the Egyptian delegation between its hotel in Saket and central Delhi could also add to congestion on south Delhi roads, particularly during peak hours.Officials said the summit would involve multiple high-security movements each day. A single dignitary could travel between the airport, hotel, summit venue and bilateral meetings, resulting in 70-80 or more high-security movements across the city in a day. Each movement requires separate traffic regulation, access restrictions and route coordination.The city got a glimpse of the arrangements on Wednesday evening when a motorcade rehearsal caused prolonged delays at several locations. Traffic was regulated at 22 diversion points during the exercise between 7pm and 10pm.Around 4,800 traffic personnel have been deployed for summit-related arrangements.
CCTV, facial recognition for round-the-clock surveillance
Delhi Police has surveyed the identified routes and held coordination meetings with multiple agencies and neighbouring states. Security arrangements will cover the airport, hotels, Bharat Mandapam and other locations to be visited by the dignitaries.In the New Delhi zone, more than 500 CCTV cameras, including high-resolution cameras, facial recognition systems and automatic number plate-reading cameras, will provide round-the-clock surveillance through a central monitoring room.Enhanced access control, verification, intelligence gathering, traffic management and emergency response systems have also been put in place at the summit venue and hotels.
Metro, buses, cabs to operate
The Delhi Metro will continue to run, though temporary restrictions on entry, exit or access to some stations could be imposed if required for security reasons.DTC and city buses will also operate, but services on affected routes may be diverted, curtailed or regulated. Autos, taxis and app-based cabs will continue to ply, although movement into restricted areas and pick-up and drop-off arrangements may be affected.Parking will not be allowed on restricted and security-sensitive roads. Essential supplies such as milk and medicines will be facilitated under the applicable arrangements.Candidates appearing for UPSC, NDA, CDS and other examinations have been advised to check their centres and routes in advance, carry their admit cards and IDs, and leave early. Those travelling for planned hospital appointments have also been advised to allow extra time.Traffic officials have coordinated with online map service providers to update restrictions, diversions and alternate routes in real time.Police have also warned people against forwarding unverified social media messages claiming a “Delhi bandh” or blanket road closures, urging commuters to rely on official advisories.(With PTI inputs)
