India
Egyptian Delegation's Saket Hotel Stay Adds Traffic Challenge Ahead of BRICS Summit in Delhi
By HT News Desk
The Delhi Traffic Police are grappling with a significant logistical challenge ahead of the BRICS Summit, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at Bharat Mandapam in central Delhi, due to the Egyptian delegation's accommodation arrangements. Unlike the other nine BRICS delegations, which are staying at central Delhi hotels including Taj Mahal, The Oberoi, Taj Palace, The Leela Palace and ITC Maurya, the Egyptian team is housed at a hotel in Saket, an area officials describe as already heavily congested.
The BRICS Business Forum began on Friday, with the main summit taking place over the weekend. Officials said the extra distance and traffic congestion around Saket have forced police to develop more detailed route and escort plans specifically for the Egyptian delegation.
Nearly 4,800 traffic police personnel have been deployed across the city to manage dignitary movement. A traffic officer explained that a controlled area means real-time decisions on road closures and diversions will be made, and commuters should monitor social media and Google Maps before traveling.
Overall, the Delhi Police have deployed approximately 30,000 personnel for the summit, comprising 15,000 city police officers and 200 companies of paramilitary forces. Traffic disruptions are expected throughout the day around Bharat Mandapam because of security measures, with additional impact anticipated during VIP movements on roads including Mahipalpur, Dhaula Kuan, Subramaniam Bharti Marg, Teen Murti Marg, Akbar Road, Tolstoy Road and Barakhamba Road.
Other roads affected by restrictions include Tees January Marg, Mother Teresa Crescent, Sardar Patel Marg, Janpath, SB Marg, Rajesh Pilot Marg, Firoz Shah Road, Shanti Path, Satya Marg, Ashoka Road, Prithviraj Road, Kautilya Marg and Dr Zakir Hussain Marg.
Police have urged commuters to anticipate delays, allow extra travel time, and use alternative routes during the summit period from September 11 to 13, drawing comparisons to the traffic congestion experienced during the 2023 G20 Summit.
Additional traffic regulation will apply to Mathura Road between the Subramaniam Bharti Marg T-point and Lodhi Road flyover, Africa Avenue between Bhikaji Cama Place and Yashwant Place roundabout, and on Kemal Ataturk Marg, APJ Abdul Kalam Road and C-Hexagon. In south Delhi, restrictions will cover Lodhi Road, Neela Gumbad, Kartavya Path, Purana Qila Road, Sher Shah Suri Marg, Tilak Marg, Bhagwan Das Road and Tughlaq Road, along with Sardarjung Road, Panchsheel Marg, San Martin Marg, Nyaya Marg and Brig Hoshiar Singh Marg.
Authorities have identified 22 diversion points. At Dinesh Nandini Dalmia Chowk, traffic on Mathura Road and Tilak Marg toward the W-point will be blocked, though movement toward Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, IP Marg and Sikandra Road will continue. Other affected locations include Guru Nanak Chowk, KG Marg toward Outer Circle, Janpath, Patel Chowk, the RML Hospital roundabout, Vande Mataram Marg, and the Dhaula Kuan and Moti Bagh flyovers.
In south Delhi, diversions have been marked at Madarsa T-point, Lodhi Road toward Amrita Shergil Marg, Max Mueller Marg, Maharishi Raman Marg, Archbishop Makarios Marg, Neela Gumbad, Oberoi flyover, the U-turn opposite DPS on Mathura Road, Ring Road along Bhairon Road, and Mandi House.
Senior police officials said anti-drone systems have been installed at around 14 strategic locations across central, south and southwest Delhi, including Bharat Mandapam and hotels housing foreign dignitaries. Additionally, hotel staff, catering workers and sanitation personnel at sensitive sites have undergone security verification, with temporary identification cards issued to those granted access.