New Year 2026: Vehicle Entry to Connaught Place Banned from 7 PM on December 31; Read the Advisory Before Stepping Out

New Delhi: Ahead of New Year celebrations, the Delhi Traffic Police on Tuesday issued a detailed traffic advisory outlining restrictions, diversions, and special parking arrangements in and around Connaught Place for December 31.

Given the expected large turnout for New Year festivities, special measures have been planned to manage pedestrian and vehicular movement. As per the advisory, traffic restrictions will come into force from 7:00 PM on December 31 and will remain effective until the celebrations conclude. Except for vehicles with special permission, all private and public transport vehicles will be barred from entering the area.

According to police, vehicles will not be allowed to proceed towards Connaught Place beyond designated checkpoints such as Mandi House, Bengali Market, Patel Chowk, Gol Market, GPO, Kasturba Gandhi Marg–Firoz Shah Road junction, Jai Singh Road–Bangla Sahib Lane, and Windsor Place. Entry into the inner, middle, or outer circles of Connaught Place will be prohibited unless a valid entry pass is produced.

Anticipating heavy crowds at India Gate, traffic restrictions or diversions may also be imposed at locations including O-Point, W-Point, MLNP, Sunahari Masjid roundabout, Rajpath–Rafi Marg, Mathura Road–Purana Qila Road, Sher Shah Road, and Zakir Hussain Marg.

For north–south and east–west movement, commuters are advised to use alternative routes such as Ring Road, Mathura Road, Rani Jhansi Road, Paharganj (Panchkuian) Road, Mandir Marg, and Mother Teresa Crescent.

Designated parking areas around Connaught Place include Kali Bari Marg, Pandit Pant Marg, Bhai Vir Singh Marg, Rakab Ganj Road, Copernicus Marg, Babar Road, Tansen Marg, Windsor Place, and Raisina Road. Parking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Unauthorized parking will lead to vehicle towing and legal action.

Travelers heading to New Delhi Railway Station from South Delhi have been advised to follow specified routes, as entry via Chelmsford Road through Connaught Place will be restricted. Traffic to Old Delhi Railway Station will remain unaffected.

The traffic police have urged citizens to prefer public transport, noting limited parking near Connaught Place and India Gate. Commuters are advised to avoid affected roads and start early for railway stations or the airport to avoid delays.