New Delhi Traffic Chaos Ahead of BRICS Summit
New Delhi experienced severe traffic chaos and strict security lockdowns as the city prepared to host the upcoming BRICS summit, bringing together leaders from eleven emerging economies.
Newsnibs Staff
- 2026-09-11
- Updated 1:59 PM UTC
(New Delhi, India)
New Delhi has ground to a near-total halt as security forces deploy across the capital ahead of the BRICS summit starting Saturday. Thousands of police and paramilitary personnel have erected barricades and established strict checkpoints throughout the city. City authorities declared a public holiday, closing government offices, schools, and many private businesses to manage the logistical footprint of the gathering.
The two-day meeting brings together leaders from eleven emerging economies, including Brazilian, Russian, Indian, Chinese, South African, Iranian, Egyptian, Ethiopian, Indonesian, Saudi, and Emirati representatives. High-profile attendees arriving in the capital include Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is making his first visit to India since 2019. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is hosting the delegation as the bloc, representing about half the global population, continues its push for a larger voice in international governance. Discussions are expected to center on ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
While international delegations arrived under heavy protection, ordinary residents navigated widespread disruptions. Commuters faced extensive route diversions, confusion at checkpoints, and surging taxi fares as movement restrictions rippled through the metropolitan area. Neeraj Kumar, a local resident with decades of commuting experience in the capital, noted that routine trips expanded exponentially under the new traffic curbs, turning short journeys into lengthy detours. The capital experienced similar gridlock and security measures during the G20 summit three years ago.
Photo by Ravi Sharma on Unsplash
