NEW DELHI: India is all set to celebrate its 76th Republic Day on January 26. The grand celebration will take place on Kartavya Path, marking a historic day when the Indian Constitution came into force on January 26, 1950. This momentous occasion replaced the Government of India Act of 1935 and established India as a republic. The Constitution, finalized by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949, was officially adopted two months later, shaping the country's democratic foundation.

As preparations are underway, the Delhi Police has issued a detailed traffic advisory for the national capital. The advisory highlights various restrictions and diversions to ensure smooth movement during the celebrations.

Traffic Restrictions and Diversions

Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic), D.K. Gupta, announced that entry at Delhi's borders will be restricted starting Saturday night. "From 9 PM on January 25, entry at the city borders will be limited to essential vehicles only. These restrictions will remain until the parade concludes," he said.

Major roads leading to the parade route, stretching from Vijay Chowk to Red Fort, will experience diversions. C-Hexagon will also remain closed to traffic after 9:15 PM on Saturday.

The Republic Day parade is scheduled to start at 10:30 AM, beginning at Vijay Chowk and ending at Red Fort, with a special function at the National War Memorial near India Gate at 9:30 AM. The parade will pass through Vijay Chowk, Kartavya Path, C-Hexagon, the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose statue roundabout, Tilak Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, and Netaji Subhash Marg before concluding at Red Fort.

Road Closures: Kartavya Path from Vijay Chowk to India Gate will be off-limits for vehicles from 5 PM on Saturday until the parade ends. Cross traffic on Kartavya Path at Rafi Marg, Janpath, and Man Singh Road will be stopped from 10 PM on Saturday.

Sunday Restrictions: On January 26, traffic on Tilak Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, and Subhash Marg will be restricted from 10:30 AM onward. Cross traffic will only be permitted based on the parade's movement.

Commuter Advisory: Travelers are encouraged to plan their journeys ahead and avoid the parade route between 9:30 AM and 1 PM for convenience. While routes to New Delhi Railway Station and Old Delhi Railway Station from north Delhi remain open, commuters should allow extra time to reach their destinations.

Public Transport Guidelines

Delhi Metro services will be available across all stations during the celebrations. However, entry of auto-rickshaws and taxis will be restricted in specific areas after 7 AM on Sunday. These areas include Mother Teresa Crescent, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Ashoka Road (till Patel Chowk roundabout), Sansad Marg, Kasturba Gandhi Marg (till Feroz Shah Road), and adjoining streets.

City buses will terminate at designated points like Park Street/Udyan Marg, Aram Bagh Road, Kamla Market roundabout, and ISBT locations at Kashmere Gate and Sarai Kale Khan. Buses from Ghaziabad to Shivaji Stadium will be rerouted via National Highway-24 and Ring Road, terminating at Bhairon Road. Similarly, buses heading towards Ghaziabad will be diverted at Mohan Nagar via Bhopra Chungi to Wazirabad Bridge.

Heavy, medium, and light goods vehicles, except those providing essential services, will be barred from entering Delhi’s borders starting 9 PM on January 25 until the parade ends.

Safety Measures

The police have urged the public to report any suspicious objects or activities immediately to the nearest police personnel. The flying of drones, paragliders, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or any sub-conventional aerial platforms is strictly prohibited over Delhi’s airspace until February 1.

These measures aim to ensure the safety and success of Republic Day celebrations while minimizing inconvenience to residents and visitors.