Delhi Police issues traffic curbs for Beating Retreat on Jan 29; Vijay Chowk shut, key roads restricted
Delhi Traffic Police has announced special restrictions for the Beating Retreat Ceremony on January 29, 2026, with closures around Vijay Chowk and diversions for key bus corridors. Commuters are urged to plan earlier and use alternate routes to avoid long delays in Central Delhi.
What is changing on January 29
Delhi Traffic Police has issued a city advisory for the Beating Retreat Ceremony scheduled on January 29, 2026 at Vijay Chowk. The advisory says traffic restrictions will be in effect from 2:00 pm to 9:30 pm, and motorists should expect closures and diversions in the ceremonial zone and adjoining corridors.
According to the advisory, Vijay Chowk will be completely shut for general traffic during the restricted window. Several surrounding stretches will also face restrictions to manage movement of invitees, to keep approach roads clear, and to prevent overcrowding around Vijay Chowk and the India Gate area.
Road stretches likely to be affected
Commuters are advised to avoid the core ceremonial grid during the restriction hours. The advisory notes that traffic flow will be restricted on Rafi Marg from the Sunehri Masjid roundabout to the Krishi Bhawan roundabout. Raisina Road, from the Krishi Bhawan roundabout to Vijay Chowk, will remain closed.
In addition, roads beyond the roundabouts at Dara Shikoh Road, Krishna Menon Marg and Sunehri Masjid leading to Vijay Chowk will remain shut. Kartavya Path is also expected to see significant curbs, with the stretch from Vijay Chowk to ‘C’ Hexagon closed during the notified hours.
Suggested alternate routes and public transport impact
For those travelling from New Delhi towards India Gate, the advisory recommends using alternate corridors such as Ring Road, Ridge Road, Aurobindo Marg, Madarsa T-Point and Safdarjung Road–Kamal Ataturk Marg–Ram Jessore Road. Drivers are urged to follow on-ground instructions and signage, and to keep buffer time for last-mile delays.
The advisory also indicates that DTC and other city buses will not operate on their regular routes in the restricted zone and will be diverted between 2:00 pm and 9:30 pm. Multiple bus corridors linking Shanti Path, Vinay Marg and Sardar Patel Marg towards Central Secretariat and Connaught Place will be rerouted via alternate arteries including Panchsheel Marg, Simon Bolivar Marg, Vande Mataram Marg, R.A. Shankar Road and Sheikh Mujibur Rehman Road.
Passengers commuting to Central Secretariat and Connaught Place are advised to check stop-level diversions, expect temporary turn-backs on some routes, and consider Metro connectivity where feasible. The advisory is intended to ensure smoother movement and crowd control during the ceremony window.