New Delhi residents are feeling the impact of the city’s security preparations for the upcoming BRICS summit. Beginning Friday, the capital’s streets were transformed into tightly controlled zones, with barricades, checkpoints and traffic curbs placed along major arteries to accommodate the arrival of world leaders.
Security measures and public‑holiday declaration
Authorities deployed thousands of police and paramilitary personnel and declared a public holiday in an effort to reduce traffic and limit movement across the city. Government offices, schools and many private businesses were closed, and some schools shut their doors as early as Thursday. Similar steps were taken during the 2023 G20 summit.
Commute disruptions for everyday workers
Millions of Delhiites still needed to travel to work, and the restrictions have made even short trips arduous. Office workers, delivery drivers and daily‑wage earners reported difficulty reaching their jobs as roads were closed, routes diverted and traffic advisories changed frequently. Taxi fares rose in several areas as drivers were forced onto longer routes.
Neeraj Kumar, an autorickshaw driver with 35 years of experience, said the detours are hitting poorer residents hardest. “If a one‑kilometer journey turns into an eight‑kilometer detour, what are we supposed to do?” he asked. Kumar urged officials to ensure security for foreign delegates does not come at the expense of local citizens.
Mohammed Eliyas, a young delivery driver, echoed the concern, noting that the restrictions could prevent many workers from earning a living for several days. “Even if we reach work, we will get stuck in traffic. We won’t be able to work,” he said.
Official rationale
City officials emphasized that the measures are necessary to ensure the smooth running of the multilateral gathering. They urged residents to work from home where possible, plan journeys in advance and follow official traffic advisories. The BRICS summit, which now includes 11 emerging markets, is expected to draw leaders such as Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Local response and social‑media chatter
Many residents have taken to social media to share photos of barricaded streets and to seek advice on navigating the altered routes. While some appreciate the opportunity to showcase India’s role on the world stage, the widespread complaints highlight the city’s chronic congestion problem, which already sees millions of vehicles competing for limited road space each day.
Despite the inconvenience, officials maintain that the security protocols are a temporary but essential step to protect both the visiting delegations and the public. They promise that once the summit concludes, normal traffic patterns will resume.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
