Police Advise Delhi Commuters to Avoid New Delhi Area Amid Heavy Traffic and Crowds

On Saturday, the Delhi Police took to their official Facebook page and put out a rather blunt warning: if you’re planning to head into the New Delhi zone today, you might want to think twice. The capital is seeing a wave of traffic that’s anything but ordinary, with crowds spilling onto the streets in numbers that officials describe as “unusually high.”

In the posted advisory the force wrote, “Citizens are advised to avoid travelling towards the New Delhi area due to heavy crowds and high traffic congestion observed across the district. Commuters should use alternative routes to prevent delays and ensure a hassle‑free journey.” The tone was clear – plan a detour, or risk getting stuck for hours.

Why the sudden jam? The city’s streets have been buzzing with protests and rallies ever since Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan handed in his resignation. The resignation came amid a fiery controversy over the NEET‑UG 2026 exam, which was marred by alleged irregularities on May 3. The government swiftly moved to cancel the exam, handed the probe over to the CBI, and announced that future exams would shift to a computer‑based testing format.

Pradhan’s resignation letter, addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, read like a farewell note to a long‑time friend. He emphasized his four‑decade‑long involvement with students and teachers, insisting that stepping down was “in the larger interest of students” so that the nation’s youth wouldn’t be “trapped in a web of confusion.”

The backdrop to his exit was a month‑long agitation that began at Jantar Mantar, led by the so‑called Cockroach Janata Party and activist Sonam Wangchuk, who endured a 26‑day hunger strike. The climax hit on July 20 when the CJP’s “Chalo Sansad” march turned confrontational, prompting a police response that only added to the city’s turmoil.

Given the swell of demonstrators, the police’s recommendation to use alternative routes isn’t just about avoiding a traffic jam – it’s about steering clear of potential flashpoints. If you must travel, consider bypasses like the Ring Road or the Outer Ring Road, and keep an eye on real‑time traffic updates via the Delhi Traffic Police app or local news channels.

In short, unless your trip is absolutely essential, it’s wise to stay put or take a longer, quieter path. The capital’s pulse is fast right now, and a little patience could save you both time and unnecessary stress.