With the AI Impact Summit 2026 underway, the Delhi Traffic Police has issued an advisory for today to avoid congestion on several routes across the national capital. High voter turnout over the past two days has led to delays affecting commuters. More than 16 heads of state arrived in the city on Wednesday.
Nearly 50 special routes have been created to facilitate movement of VIP convoys between the airport, hotels, Bharat Mandapam and key sightseeing spots such as the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Humayun’s Tomb, India Gate, along with other major landmarks across central and south Delhi.
Delhi traffic alert today
“There will be special traffic arrangements in view of AI Impact Summit – 2026 on February 19, 2026 from 7:30 AM to 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Commuters are advised to plan their journeys in advance, avoid the affected sections and follow the instructions of the Delhi Traffic Police on duty.”
Delhi Traffic Restrictions
Several key roads in the capital may face restrictions or temporary regulation depending on the movement of VIP convoys. These include Sardar Patel Marg, Mother Teresa Crescent, Teen Murti Marg, Akbar Road, Janpath, Windsor Place, Tees January Marg, Prithvi Raj Road, Rajesh Pilot Marg and Subrahmaniam Bharti Marg.
Certain stretches are also likely to be affected, particularly Mathura Road between Lodhi flyover and Bhairon Marg/Dr Dinesh Chander Dalmia stretch, as well as Shanti trail between Satya Marg and Kautilya Marg roundabouts. Other routes that could affect traffic include Africa Avenue, Satya Marg between Yashwant Place and Shanti Path, Gurugram road and Dr Zakir Hussain Marg.
Traffic around India Gate, Connaught Place and connecting roads between the airport and central Delhi may also experience congestion or diversions.
Delhi Traffic diversions
To minimize inconvenience, motorists were advised to use alternative corridors. The proposed routes include San Martin Marg, Panchsheel Marg, APJ Abdul Kalam Marg, Kamal Ataturk Marg, Aurobindo Marg, Lodhi Road and South Avenue Road. Other recommended options are Vandematram Marg, Barapullah Road, Ring Road, Tilak Marg, Ferozshah Road, Rafi Marg, Sansad Marg, K Kamraj Marg, Old Delhi-Gurugram road.
The Delhi Traffic Police has advised residents to plan their journeys well in advance and expect a significant increase in travel time. Commuters have been asked to avoid the affected sections where possible, strictly follow instructions issued by traffic personnel stationed at major junctions and maintain proper lane discipline while obeying all traffic regulations. Officials warned that even brief closures of major thoroughfares in central Delhi could cause widespread congestion across the city.
AI Impact Summit 2026
Taking place from February 16 to 21, the summit seeks to harness artificial intelligence to address global challenges while creating new avenues for inclusive growth. The six-day meeting is structured around three main pillars, referred to as “sutras”: People, Planet and Progress. The Summit, the first major global AI conference to be held in the Global South, is attended by more than 20 heads of state, 60 ministers and 500 leading figures from the global AI community.