Commuters in the national capital are likely to experience temporary traffic disruptions on Tuesday evening as the Delhi Traffic Police has rolled out a comprehensive advisory for the Full Dress Rehearsal of the Beating Retreat ceremony. The rehearsal will take place at and around Vijay Chowk, a key ceremonial hub in the heart of the city.
Traffic Curbs From 4 PM to 6 PM
The officials will enforce traffic restrictions between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM to ensure the smooth execution of the rehearsal and the safe movement of participating contingents and dignitaries. During this period, authorities will completely close Vijay Chowk to the general public and prohibit all vehicular access.
Several arterial roads feeding into Vijay Chowk will also be off-limits. These include Raisina Road from the Krishi Bhawan roundabout towards Vijay Chowk beyond the Dara Shikoh Road roundabout, along with routes from the Krishna Menon Marg roundabout and the Sunehri Masjid roundabout.
Kartavya Path Among Major Stretches Affected
Meanwhile, the advisory further clarifies that Kartavya Path, from Vijay Chowk to the Rafi Marg–Kartavya Path crossing, will remain shut to traffic throughout the rehearsal period. In light of this, authorities have urged commuters to factor in these closures while planning their evening travel so as to avoid last-minute delays.
Alternate Routes Suggested to Ease Congestion
To reduce inconvenience, the Delhi Traffic Police has recommended using alternate corridors such as Ring Road, Ridge Road, Aurobindo Marg, Madarsa T-Point, Safdarjung Road–Kamal Ataturk Marg, Rani Jhansi Road, and Minto Road, among others. Additionally, motorists are advised to stay updated and follow traffic instructions on the ground to ensure smoother movement.
Beating Retreat Rehearsal on January 27, Main Ceremony on January 29
The Full Dress Rehearsal is scheduled for January 27, serving as a crucial run-through ahead of the Beating Retreat ceremony on January 29, which formally marks the conclusion of India’s Republic Day celebrations.
Republic Day Celebrations Showcase India’s Strength and Diversity
Notably, the advisory comes close on the heels of the 77th Republic Day celebrations, which unfolded with grandeur on Kartavya Path on Monday. The event not only highlighted India’s vast cultural diversity but also showcased its expanding capabilities across sectors and military strength, thereby drawing enthusiastic participation from citizens across the country.
Among the key highlights, the parade featured the presence of a European Union contingent, which included four flag bearers riding on three gypsies. In particular, the contingent displayed four flags—the European Union flag, the European Union Military Staff flag, and the flags of EU Naval Force Atalanta and EU Naval Force Aspides.
Global Dignitaries and Ceremonial Highlights
President of the European Council Antonio Luís Santos da Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen attended the celebrations and graced the occasion as Chief Guests.
President Droupadi Murmu led the ceremony, taking the salute of the parade along Kartavya Path, which stretches from Rashtrapati Bhawan to the National War Memorial, specially adorned for the occasion. The day began with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the
National War Memorial, where he paid tribute to fallen heroes by laying a wreath.
Adding a vibrant cultural dimension, around 100 artists set the tone for the parade with performances centered on the theme ‘Vividata Mein Ekta – Unity in Diversity’, capturing the spirit of a nation united in its many hues.
