BRICS Summit 2026 in Delhi: Check road closures, traffic diversions, Metro status, school and office closures, VVIP movements and travel updates
New Delhi: New Delhi is under tight security and controlled traffic as India hosts the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit on September 12-13 at Bharat Mandapam. Leaders have started arriving, and authorities have imposed traffic and security restrictions from September 11 to 13. Some restrictions may continue until September 14.
The capital has not gone into a complete shutdown. However, central and south Delhi are seeing major traffic diversions, temporary road stoppages for VVIP convoys, and selected closures of schools and government offices.
This guide covers the summit, attending leaders, the day-by-day schedule, the expected New Delhi Declaration and the practical information residents, office-goers, parents and travellers need to know. It explains which places remain open, which ones are closed, which roads people should avoid, and the status of the Delhi Metro, Metro Museum, banks, markets, buses, cabs, airports and railway stations.
BRICS Summit 2026: Why It Matters
India holds the BRICS chair in 2026. The expanded grouping now has 11 full members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. BRICS also includes partner countries and outreach invitees.
The summit carries the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
Leaders are expected to discuss inclusive global governance and multilateralism, food and energy security, healthcare, disaster resilience, trade and investment, technology, critical supply chains and geopolitical tensions. These discussions also cover conflicts that affect energy supplies and global trade routes.
The two-day leaders’ programme will end with the release of the New Delhi Declaration.
The BRICS Business Forum and other related events took place at Bharat Mandapam on September 11. Leaders are also expected to hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit, including meetings between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and key visiting leaders.
What Is Closed in Delhi from September 11-13?
September 11
Several government institutions and educational institutions are closed on September 11.
• All Delhi government schools and many private schools are closed.
• Delhi government offices, autonomous bodies and public sector undertakings under the Delhi government are closed.
• Central government offices in Delhi and New Delhi are also closed.
• Courts have also been reported closed or operating with restricted functioning in line with the holiday for government offices.
Authorities have taken these steps to reduce traffic during the arrival of foreign leaders and VVIP motorcade rehearsals.
Delhi Metro Museum
The Delhi Metro Museum at Supreme Court Metro station remains closed to visitors from September 11 to 13. It will reopen after its regular weekly holiday on September 14.
The government has not ordered a blanket closure of commercial areas or public transport.
What Remains Open in Delhi?
Banks and Financial Markets
Banks and financial markets remain operational on September 11 and throughout the summit period. September 11 is not an RBI bank holiday.
Private Offices
Private offices can operate as usual. However, employees should expect delays if their routes pass through areas affected by VVIP movements and traffic restrictions.
Markets and Commercial Areas
Markets, including Connaught Place and other major shopping areas, remain open. However, diversions and security checks may make access slower than usual.
Delhi Metro
The Delhi Metro continues to operate across all lines and stations as usual. DMRC has confirmed that stations remain open.
Only the Delhi Metro Museum at Supreme Court Metro station remains closed during the summit period.
Authorities strongly recommend using the Metro, particularly for journeys to and from the airport.
Airports and Railway Stations
Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi Railway Station, Old Delhi Railway Station and Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station remain operational.
Passengers should leave with plenty of extra time because road traffic can slow down during VVIP movements.
Cabs and App-Based Taxis
Cabs and app-based taxis continue to operate. Drivers have been advised to avoid restricted areas during VVIP convoy movements and not to park on roadsides except at designated locations.
Buses
Delhi buses continue to operate but may take temporary diversions when VVIP convoys pass through affected roads.
Emergency and medical vehicles will receive priority passage across the city 24×7.
Traffic Restrictions and Roads to Avoid
Delhi Traffic Police has created a controlled area in central Delhi and identified more than 35 roads that may face traffic regulation or temporary stoppages during VVIP movements.
These restrictions can change according to security requirements. They do not mean that every road on the list will remain closed throughout the day.
Major affected roads and corridors include:
• Mathura Road, especially the stretch between Subramaniam Bharti Marg and Lodhi Road Flyover
• Sardar Patel Marg
• Mother Teresa Crescent
• Teen Murti Marg
• Akbar Road
• Tees January Marg
• Shanti Path
• Janpath
• Ashoka Road
• Barakhamba Road
• Tolstoy Marg
• Africa Avenue Road
• Niti Marg
• Panchsheel Marg
• APJ Abdul Kalam Road
• Rajesh Pilot Marg
• Moti Lal Nehru Marg
• Dr Zakir Hussain Marg
• Kartavya Path
• Purana Qila Road
• Tilak Marg
• Bhagwan Das Road
• Lodhi Road
• Neela Gumbad
• Tughlaq Road
Several other roads in central and south Delhi will also face restrictions, particularly routes connecting hotels, the airport and Bharat Mandapam.
Major Diversion Points
Authorities have established 22 diversion points across the affected areas.
Important diversion points include:
• Dr Dinesh Nandini Dalmia Chowk (W-Point)
• Ram Charan Aggarwal Chowk (A-Point)
• Mir Dard Chowk
• Kasturba Gandhi Marg/Outer Circle, Connaught Place
• Janpath
• Patel Chowk
• RML Hospital roundabout
• Vande Mataram Marg/Simon Bolivar Marg
• Dhaula Kuan Flyover
• Moti Bagh Flyover
• Lodhi Road
• Mandi House
Around 4,800 traffic personnel have been deployed to manage traffic and security.
Authorities have also imposed no-parking restrictions within 200 metres of controlled roads. Police will tow illegally parked vehicles.
Non-destination heavy commercial vehicles will also face restrictions while entering central Delhi.
On September 11, traffic regulation was particularly noticeable in several areas between around 2:00 pm and 8:30 pm.
Practical Advice for Delhi Residents and Commuters
Residents and commuters should plan their journeys in advance and keep checking updates from Delhi Traffic Police and DMRC through their official apps, websites and social media channels.
The Metro remains the best option for most journeys through central Delhi and for airport travel.
People who drive should follow diversion signs and police instructions. Residents living in controlled areas should keep valid address proof with them.
Delivery services and street vendors may face temporary restrictions near VVIP routes. However, markets and commercial areas will continue to operate.
Who Is Attending the BRICS Summit
Confirmed or expected high-level attendees include:
• Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is making his first visit to India in seven years
• Russian President Vladimir Putin, who arrived at AFS Palam early on September 11
• South African President Cyril Ramaphosa
• Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian
• Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi
• Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed
• Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto
• UAE representation at the Crown Prince level
• Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister
• Brazil’s Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira
• United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres
• Heads or senior representatives of the New Development Bank, WTO, WHO and other international institutions
• Leaders and ministers from partner and outreach countries
Authorities have put airports, hotels in Chanakyapuri and central Delhi, and the Bharat Mandapam complex under tight security. Thousands of security personnel have been deployed across these areas.
