Expect heavy crowds in Delhi around Independence Day 2026 due to the main event at the Red Fort and various other celebrations across the city. Consequently, you should plan your travel, as security measures have been tightened at railway stations, the metro network, the airport, and on major roads. Advisories covering everything from railway and metro stations to bus and flight services have been issued for Delhi. If you are currently in Delhi or planning to visit, it is essential to be aware of these advisories.

**Travel Advisory Issued**
Security checks at Delhi's railway stations will be intensified from August 13 to August 16. Delhi has over 40 railway stations, including major long-distance terminals such as New Delhi, Old Delhi, Hazrat Nizamuddin, Anand Vihar Terminal, Delhi Sarai Rohilla, and Delhi Safdarjung. The city also has several smaller and local stations, such as Delhi Cantonment, Shakur Basti, Sabzi Mandi, and Tilak Bridge. Northern Railway has issued an advisory stating that security checks at railway stations in the Delhi area will be further tightened from August 13 to August 16 due to Independence Day on August 15.

Passengers traveling during this period are advised to plan their journeys accordingly, arrive at the station well in advance, and cooperate with security personnel during checks. For assistance, passengers can contact the 'Rail Madad' helpline at 139.

**Parcel Booking Suspended at 5 Major Stations**
As part of security arrangements, parcel booking and handling services will remain suspended at five major Delhi railway stations from August 12 to August 15, although passenger train services will continue to operate. This restriction applies to New Delhi, Delhi Junction, Hazrat Nizamuddin, Anand Vihar Terminal, and Delhi Sarai Rohilla stations. Railway officials have also directed that parcel warehouses and platforms be kept clear of packages and packing materials.

**What passengers can carry**
During the period of restrictions, passengers will be permitted to carry their personal luggage in passenger coaches. However, the booking of registered newspapers and magazines will continue following the necessary commercial formalities and security checks. These restrictions are not limited to trains originating from Delhi; they also apply to trains arriving from other railway zones and divisions that stop at these five stations to load or unload parcels.

**Delhi Airport advises passengers to arrive early**
Security arrangements at Delhi Airport have been stepped up for Independence Day. Passengers have been warned that screening may take longer than usual due to stringent security checks. Therefore, travelers are advised to plan their journeys and arrive at the airport early to avoid last-minute delays. Airport officials stated that teams are working closely with security agencies to ensure the safe and smooth movement of passengers amidst the heightened security measures.

**Security checks on Delhi Metro to continue until August 16**
Delhi Metro passengers may face long queues. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has stated that, in view of the heightened security measures leading up to August 15, CISF security checks at metro stations were intensified starting August 9 and will continue until August 16. This additional screening may result in long queues at certain stations, particularly during peak hours. Passengers are advised to factor in extra time for their journeys and to cooperate with security personnel during the screening process.

**Warning regarding kite flying**
Another safety concern regarding Independence Day—affecting both Delhi Metro passengers and residential areas—is the flying of kites near elevated metro lines. The DMRC stated that the Delhi Metro currently operates across a 416-kilometer network in the Delhi-NCR region. A significant portion of this network is elevated, utilizing 25,000-volt overhead equipment (OHE) to power the trains. Kite-flying activity increases around August 15th, creating a risk that kite strings could become entangled in OHE wires or caught in the pantograph—the device that draws power from the overhead system.

The DMRC has appealed to the public not to fly kites near elevated metro lines, particularly in areas where the tracks pass through residential neighborhoods. The agency has advised people to choose open spaces away from metro lines for kite-flying activities.

The DMRC stated that it has deployed special teams near stations prone to kite-related incidents. These teams will remove any kite strings they spot, and train operators as well as station staff have been instructed to remain particularly vigilant during this period.

**Restrictions on Heavy Vehicles Entering Delhi from Gurugram**
Road traffic to and from Delhi will be affected, particularly for heavy vehicles and inter-state buses. Gurugram Police has announced a ban on the movement of heavy vehicles from NH-48 towards Delhi during both the full-dress rehearsal and the Independence Day celebrations.

For the rehearsal on August 13, heavy vehicles will not be permitted to enter Delhi from NH-48 between 5:00 PM on August 12 and 1:30 PM on August 13. The restriction will be enforced again for the Independence Day celebrations from 5:00 PM on August 14 to 1:30 PM on August 15. Commuters and transporters are advised to use the Dwarka Expressway and KMP Expressway instead of NH-48 during these restricted hours.

**Restrictions on Heavy Vehicles and Buses Heading to Delhi from Faridabad**
Restrictions will apply to heavy and medium goods vehicles as well as inter-state buses heading to Delhi from Faridabad. For the full-dress rehearsal, these restrictions will be in effect from 8:00 PM on August 12 to 1:00 PM on August 13. For Independence Day, the restrictions will begin at 8:00 PM on August 14 and remain in force until the conclusion of the event on August 15.

These restrictions in Faridabad will cover several routes and border points leading to Delhi, including Badarpur Border, Palla Border, Karni Singh Shooting Range Border, Surajkund Border, Mangar Chowki, Sikri on NH-19, and the Sector 30 cut on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. Heavy vehicles will be diverted to designated alternative routes before reaching the restricted border areas.

Traffic police in both Gurugram and Faridabad have advised transporters and vehicle owners to inform their drivers about these restrictions in advance. Action will be taken against violators under the Motor Vehicles Act. Permission for Milk, Medicines, and Essential Supplies
However, it has been clarified that not all vehicles will be stopped. Emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire tenders, and police vehicles will be exempt from these restrictions. Officials stated that vehicles transporting milk, fruits, vegetables, essential food items, medicines, medical supplies, and fuel will also be permitted to move. This means that despite restrictions on heavy vehicles and buses arriving from other states, the movement of essential goods and emergency services will continue.

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