Bad traffic is a fact of life in New Delhi, but it’s often at its worst when foreign dignitaries come to town.
We won’t be able to work,” he said. Government offices, schools and many private businesses were closed, reducing traffic and giving security agencies greater control over movement. They urged residents to work from home where possible, plan journeys in advance and follow official traffic advisories. “Even if we reach work, we will get stuck in traffic.
Similar measures were imposed in 2023, when New Delhi hosted the G20 summit. Kumar, who has been driving for 35 years, said authorities should ensure that security measures for foreign delegates do not come at the expense of residents.
Officials said the restrictions were necessary to ensure the smooth running of the major multilateral gathering. Neeraj Kumar, an autorickshaw driver, said the restrictions were hitting poorer residents hardest. “The government should make proper arrangements for foreign delegates so that neither the public nor the guests should face any trouble,” he said. Mohammed Eliyas, a young delivery driver, said the restrictions would prevent many workers from earning for several days.
Some schools shut their doors on Thursday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are among the leaders expected to attend the summit Saturday and Sunday.
