The Delhi Gridlock: How to Survive the AI Summit Traffic Today

Townhall Times, New Delhi

Reporter: Bhavika Kalra

If you’re planning to step out in Central or South Delhi this evening, February 18, 2026, you might want to rethink your life choices—or at least your route. The Delhi Traffic Police has issued a “red alert” advisory. Between 4:00 PM and 10:00 PM, the heart of the city is going to be a maze of diversions and security checks.

1. The “Avoid at All Costs” List

VVIP movements for the AI Summit at Bharat Mandapam (Pragati Maidan) mean these roads are going to be heavily restricted. If you’re on these stretches, expect to be sitting in your car for a long time:

The Lutyens’ Danger Zone: Akbar Road, Janpath, Safdarjung Road, and Sher Shah Road.
The Main Arteries: Mathura Road (specifically the stretch between Lodhi Flyover and Bhairon Marg), India Gate C-Hexagon, and Tilak Marg.
The Diplomatic Enclave: Shanti Path and Sardar Patel Marg are under heavy surveillance.

2. The “Wedding Season” Complication

What the official advisories don’t always highlight is that today is a major wedding date. When you mix VVIP motorcades with baraats (wedding processions) and the ongoing CBSE Board Exams, you get a perfect storm of traffic.

Student Safety: Special “Nodal Officers” are at 10 schools along the VVIP routes to make sure kids don’t miss their exams. If you’re a parent, the police are basically saying: “Leave an hour earlier than you think you need to.”

3. Smart Shortcuts: How to Actually Move

The police haven’t blocked everything. They’ve kept a “North-South Corridor” open, which is your best bet for crossing the city:

The Lifeline: Use the Ring Road (Ashram Chowk – Sarai Kale Khan – Rajghat – ISBT – Dhaula Kuan). It’s the most reliable route right now.
Alternate Stretches: Barapullah Road, Lodhi Road, and Aurobindo Marg are still functional, though they’ll be packed with people trying to avoid the main diversions.

4. Airport and Railway Hacks

Don’t rely on GPS alone today; it might not update fast enough for sudden VIP closures.

For IGI Airport: Avoid Central Delhi entirely. Take NH-48 or the Sector-22 Dwarka Tunnel.
For New Delhi Railway Station: Approach from the Ajmeri Gate side via Vande Mataram Marg or Panchkuian Road. Avoid the Minto Road/Connaught Place side if possible.

5. The “AI” Irony

There’s a bit of a joke going around Delhi today: while the world’s top minds are inside Bharat Mandapam discussing how AI can solve humanity’s problems, the Delhi Traffic Police is using AI-powered “Smart Signaling” to try and stop the city from grinding to a halt. It’s a real-world stress test for the tech they’re talking about inside.

The Bottom Line: If you don’t have to be in Lutyens’ Delhi or near Pragati Maidan after 4 PM today, stay away. The Delhi Metro is your only true friend right now—it’s running normally and completely bypasses the mess on the roads.