Bad traffic is a fact of life in New Delhi, but it’s often at its worst when foreign dignitaries come to town.
Some schools shut their doors on Thursday. As India’s capital prepares to host a summit of the BRICS grouping of countries this weekend, parts of one of the world’s busiest urban centers have been turned into tightly controlled security zones. City authorities also declared it a public holiday in an effort to reduce traffic and limit movement across the city. Government offices, schools and many private businesses were closed, reducing traffic and giving security agencies greater control over movement. They urged residents to work from home where possible, plan journeys in advance and follow official traffic advisories.
Similar measures were imposed in 2023, when New Delhi hosted the G20 summit. Kumar, who has been driving for 35 years, said authorities should ensure that security measures for foreign delegates do not come at the expense of residents.
Officials said the restrictions were necessary to ensure the smooth running of the major multilateral gathering. Neeraj Kumar, an autorickshaw driver, said the restrictions were hitting poorer residents hardest. “The government should make proper arrangements for foreign delegates so that neither the public nor the guests should face any trouble,” he said.
Thousands of police and paramilitary personnel were deployed Friday, with barricades, checkpoints and traffic curbs in place across major roads and key areas a day before the summit begins Saturday.
Leaders Confirmed for Upcoming Summit
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are confirmed to attend the summit scheduled for this Saturday and Sunday.
