- New Delhi has been transformed into a security zone as it prepares to host the BRICS Summit this weekend, with significant traffic disruptions reported.
- On Friday, thousands of police and paramilitary personnel were deployed, with barricades, checkpoints, and traffic curbs established across major roads.
- A public holiday was declared on Saturday to help reduce traffic and limit movement across the city during the summit.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are among the leaders expected to attend the summit on Saturday and Sunday.
- The term BRIC was coined in 2001 by Jim O'Neill of Goldman Sachs, highlighting the economic potential of Brazil, Russia, India, and China.
- New Delhi previously hosted the G20 summit in 2023, implementing similar security measures to manage large gatherings.
- The traffic restrictions during the summit are causing significant disruptions to daily life in a city already known for its chronic congestion.
New Delhi has been transformed into a security zone as it prepares to host the BRICS Summit on September 12-13. Thousands of police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed, with barricades and checkpoints established across major roads.1256
City authorities declared a public holiday to reduce traffic and limit movement, closing government offices, schools, and many private businesses. This has led to significant disruptions in daily life, particularly for office workers, delivery drivers, and daily wage earners.3
“If a one-kilometer journey turns into an eight-kilometer detour, what are we supposed to do?” asked Neeraj Kumar, an autorickshaw driver, highlighting the impact on poorer residents.
Officials have urged residents to work from home and plan journeys in advance, but many are frustrated by the confusion over changing restrictions.
Similar measures were implemented during the 2023 G20 summit, and the current restrictions are testing the patience of residents who are proud to host world leaders but are struggling with the chaos.
The city faces a challenging balancing act: ensuring security while minimizing disruption to daily life.
“Autorickshaw driver Neeraj Kumar, with 35 years on the job, said a one-kilometer journey becomes an eight-kilometer detour, hitting poorer residents hardest. The summit also marks 25 years since the term was coined and 20 since the bloc formed, with energy ties deepening amid crises.”
