Delhi Traffic Advisory Issued for Republic Day Full Dress Rehearsal; Check Diversions

People driving through central Delhi on Thursday evening are likely to face delays, as traffic restrictions are being rolled out for rehearsals of the Beating Retreat ceremony at Vijay Chowk. Delhi Traffic Police has warned of slow movement near Raisina Hill during the rehearsal period and has urged commuters to reconsider regular routes.

Vijay Chowk will stay closed to general traffic from 4 pm to 6.30 pm, and several approach roads will face diversions. Office-goers travelling in the evening peak are advised to leave early, plan different routes and keep extra time in hand to avoid getting caught in long queues.

Delhi traffic restrictions and diversions for Beating Retreat ceremony rehearsals

Raisina Road, including the stretch between the Krishi Bhawan roundabout and Vijay Chowk, will remain shut during the rehearsal window. Vehicles will be held back at several points, such as the roundabouts at Dara Shikoh Road, Krishna Menon Marg and near Sunehri Masjid, with no movement allowed towards Vijay Chowk from these locations.

The link road from Vijay Chowk to Rafi Marg, heading towards Kartavya Path, will also be closed to vehicles. For smoother travel, motorists have been asked to use Ring Road, Ridge Road, Aurobindo Marg, Madarsa T-Point, Safdarjung Road towards Kamal Ataturk Marg, Rani Jhansi Road and Minto Road as alternate corridors during the restricted hours.

Delhi traffic restrictions and security plans for Republic Day rehearsal

These curbs come as a build-up to tighter Delhi traffic restrictions set for January 23, when the Full Dress Rehearsal for the Republic Day parade will be held. On that day, Kartavya Path between Vijay Chowk and India Gate will stay closed, along with Raisina Road, Janpath, C-Hexagon and connecting stretches, from early morning until the rehearsal finishes.

Security measures in the capital are also being stepped up alongside Delhi traffic restrictions. For the first time, Delhi Police will use AI-powered smart glasses with facial recognition and thermal imaging to watch crowds during Republic Day events. Linked to police databases, the system can highlight suspects and repeat offenders in real time, supporting stronger ground surveillance and faster checks in high-security zones.