Central Delhi faced severe traffic congestion on Tuesday (January 21) due to Republic Day parade rehearsals, leaving hundreds of commuters stranded on the roads. Parts of south Delhi were also affected by the chaos.
Delhiites took it to X to express their frustration and posted a photo of the heavy traffic near Kartavya Path, asking, “Is it too much to ask @dtptraffic to manage traffic? The entire central Delhi is choked.”
Many others reported being late for work or avoiding going altogether due to the gridlock. Another commuter shared on social media that they were stuck in a traffic jam on MB Road for two hours.
Commuters who chose to take the metro also faced challenges, as long queues formed at stations due to heightened security checks ahead of Republic Day. One user posted a video of the long lines at a metro station, saying, “Delhi metro please we can’t afford it in that peak time please. We are using Delhi metro to avoid traffic. This is the peak hour to travel for a corporate life. We all know that 26th January (Republic Day) is near but we can’t afford it in that time. @OfficialDMRC .”
Delhi Traffic Police advisory for January 22 and 25
Earlier, the Delhi Police issued a traffic advisory and announced special arrangements for four days to ensure the smooth conduct of the Republic Day Parade along Kartavya Path. Traffic diversions were also planned due to full-dress rehearsals on January 22 and the main Republic Day celebrations on January 25. Significant congestion is expected on key roads around Kartavya Path and Chhatrasal Stadium, where the state-level event will be held.
Traffic restrictions will be in place from 6 am to 1 pm on both January 22 and 25. Motorists are advised to use alternative routes and stay updated through Delhi Traffic Police’s official channels for real-time information. Commuters are encouraged to plan their travel in advance to avoid inconvenience during the Republic Day rehearsals and celebrations.
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi will hoist the National Flag at Chhatrasal Stadium on January 25, with participation from ministers, MLAs, senior officials, schoolchildren, and the general public, alongside around 250 buses and 1,000 light vehicles.