Delhi witnessed traffic snarls on Monday as the India Artificial Intelligence Impact Summit 2026 began at Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam. Traffic jams reportedly affected commuters, especially in central and south Delhi.
However, Monday’s traffic situation appeared to be significantly better than what the city had seen in the past week, Hindustan Times reported.
Why was there a traffic jam in Delhi?
The report quoted traffic police officials as saying that the primary source of this traffic jam was VIP movement and route restrictions for the first day of the AI Impact Summit 2026.
Added to this was the rush of the ongoing wedding season and students heading to the examination centers for the board exams.
Read also | CBSE makes Class 10 first exam compulsory under dual board plan
Another, more unexpected factor was the ongoing repair work of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) following a burst water pipe near the ITO.
While the summit is being held from February 16 to 20, the CBSE Class 10 and 12 exams also begin on Tuesday, fueling fears that the city will face more traffic jams today.
Transport consultancy
The Delhi Police on Sunday issued a traffic advisory to ensure smooth movement of vehicles and minimize inconvenience to students and public in view of the AI Summit and CBSE classes 10 and 12 starting on Tuesday.
While the AI Summit is being held from February 16 to 20, the CBSE exams begin on February 17, leading to overlapping schedules.
Read also | Who is Nitish Rajput? Eduquity Technologies sues YouTuber for ₹2.5 million
Police said coordinated arrangements are in place and students with admit cards or date sheets will be assisted to reach the examination centers on time.
The restrictions are in place in large parts of central Delhi, particularly around the Bharat Mandapam and 10 hotels – eight in New Delhi and two in south-west Delhi – where foreign delegates are staying.
Read also | Who is Maxim Oreshkin? Putin’s adviser to attend AI summit in Delhi
These include Mathura Road (from Subramaniam Bharti Marg to Lodhi Road flyover), Purana Qila Road and Akbar Road.
Board Examinations for Class 10 and 12 will see more than 46 thousand students from India and 26 countries abroad.
Counseling for CBSE Students
Reach on time: “Since the exam starts at 10:30 am, all students have been directed to reach their exam center on or before 10 am,” said Sanyam Bhardwaj, CBSE Controller of Examinations.
10 schools fall into the main routes of WIP movement: Delhi Traffic Police has released the list 10 schools which fall on the main routes of WIP movement where the board exams will be held on February 17.
“Nodal officers from the traffic police have been deployed in these schools to facilitate access to the examination centers for students and staff,” the adviser said.
He added, “School managements may be contacted to get information about the proposed routes and designated nodal officers to avoid any inconvenience during travel to and from schools on examination dates.”
Transport restrictions: Traffic movement will remain restricted or regulated on several key stretches including Mathura Road, Subramania Bharti Marg, Rajesh Pilot Marg, Tees January Marg, Akbar Road, Teen Murti Marg, Mother Teresa Crescent, Sardar Patel Marg, Janpath, Firoze Shah Road, Shanti Path, Satya Marg, Safdarjung Road, Safdarjung Road.
The advisory also said that Bhairon Marg and Mathura Road will be no-go areas and no vehicles will be allowed during movement on the route.
Read also | Why are PM Modi, JD Vance and Sam Altman attending the Paris AI Summit?
Transport to Indira Gandhi International Airport will be facilitated via NH-48, Rao Gajraj Singh Marg, UER-I and Sector-22 Dwarka Tunnel, depending on the terminal.
For those traveling to New Delhi, Old Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway stations, the advisory lists several suggested routes via Ring Road, Ashram Chowk, Raj Ghat, ISBT Kashmiri Gate and Vande Mataram Marg, among others.
Metro rail services will continue to operate as normal, while buses and taxis may face temporary diversions during VIP movement, the statement said.
Necessary services, including emergency medical services vehicles, will be provided with continuous traffic throughout the city.
Movement of the general public will also be facilitated through designated alternate routes and corridors, it said. Non-Delhi-bound vehicles will be diverted to the Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways and other alternate routes, police said.
Police also urged commuters to heed traffic warnings and plan their journeys in advance, especially during peak hours. Parents and students have also been advised to keep a reserve time while traveling to examination centers to avoid last-minute delays.