With Indian people preparing to celebrate the 79th Independence Day on August 15, 2025, law enforcement agencies have issued detailed traffic guidelines to facilitate smooth traffic flows and provide high-security levels, especially in metropolises. As central Delhi happens to be the epicenter of activities, commuters can expect road shutters and diversion plans as traffic movement is going to be restricted in various areas of the NCR.
August 13- Rehearsal (in full uniform) at Red Fort
The full-dress rehearsal of the event is scheduled on August 13 between 4:00 AM and 10:00 AM, during which roads around the Red Fort will be closed. Vital avenues like Netaji Subhash Marg, Lothian Road, SP Mukherjee Marg, Chandni Chowk Road, and Nishad Raj Marg will continue to be barred to normal traffic. The diversions would be present at ISBT Kashmere Gate and Salimgarh Bypass. Access to commercial vehicles, inter-state buses, and city buses will be prohibited, and alternative bus services will be put in place. Commuters have been requested by Delhi Police to use the Metro, pre-plan routes, and have several emergency helplines readily available.
August 15 Main Independence Day Event
Car curfews on August 15 will be a replica of the rehearsal day, except that there will be stricter controls along central Delhi. The Red Fort area and roads that will pass through it in the morning will be closed, and the security restrictions will be ramped up. Officials recommend that everyone use urban transportation, particularly the Delhi Metro, to prevent congestion.
Heavy Vehicle Bans in NCR Cities
In Noida, from August 12 at 10:00 PM to August 13 when the rehearsal finishes, and again between 10:00 PM on August 14 until the end of the evening on August 15, heavy vehicles will be prohibited from entry. Alternates through the Noida Greater Noida expressway, S legislature, and Eastern peripheral expressway are advised.
Heavy vehicles will not enter Delhi at Gurgaon between 5:00 PM on August 12 and 1:30 PM on August 13, and also between 5:00 PM on August 14 and August 15, 1:30 PM. It is recommended that commuters take the KMP Expressway and parking areas.
The restrictions of Faridabad will be between August 12, 10 PM, and August 13, 2 PM, and August 14, 10 PM, and August 15, 2 PM, which will affect the routes such as Badarpur Border, Surajkund, Delhi Mumbai Expressway, and NH-19. Vehicles that are needed to provide essential services are exempt, and helpline numbers 0129-2267201/ 2225999 can be called in case of emergency.
Other Striking Updates
The Santacruz-Chembur link road extension will be opened on August 14 to ensure better east-west connectivity and decongestion of the road.
Delhi police have once again banned the use of Chinese manjha (metal-coated kite strings), saying that these present a risk to the riders of two-wheelers. Protective frames and keeping kites from being flown in busy roads or near power lines are recommended for bikers.
In other parts of the world, the Independence Day parade rehearsals in Kolkata have led to traffic delays and health disorders due to heat in the participants, so there is a consideration of hydration during such outdoor activities.
Important Lessons to Commuters
The period marked by the time covered by the 12th to 15th of August is going to be extremely tight on heavy vehicle movements along Noida, Gurgaon, and Faridabad. Roads in central Delhi areas near the Red Fort will be fully closed during rehearsals and event days, and the preferred mode of transport should be public transport, which is the safest and fastest. Mumbaikers should anticipate a smoother ride following the SCLR extension, and people in Delhi should be careful of the safety perils associated with kite flights.
