Strict Traffic Rules and Heavy Police Cover Implemented Across Delhi-NCR for Dussehra

Traffic Restrictions

Security is tighter and traffic rules are stricter across the Delhi-NCR area for the Dussehra celebrations on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. Traffic restrictions may be put in place on six roads in Dwarka in the evening. These rules will apply from 4:50 p.m. to 8 p.m. to manage heavy pedestrian and vehicle movement due to large crowds and expected VVIP visits. Commuters are advised to avoid these routes and use other roads instead. A 221-foot-tall effigy of Ravana will be burnt at Sector 10 in Dwarka, which the Dwarka Shri Ramlila Society calls one of the tallest effigies in the country for these celebrations. Traffic and parking rules will also apply near the Red Fort from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., with possible limits on Netaji Subhash Marg and Nishad Raj Marg. Private vehicles are blocked from entering Chittaranjan Park and Greater Kailash-II in South Delhi during heavy traffic hours from 4 p.m. to midnight due to Durga Puja celebrations.

Security Deployment

Police forces have made large security arrangements for the festival. More than 13,000 police personnel are deployed across Delhi-NCR with high watchfulness at religious spots and crowded areas. In Gurugram, about 2,200 police personnel are stationed at 66 'Ravan Dahan' sites, 17 religious processions, and other events. In Faridabad, 1,200 police personnel are deployed to keep law and order.

Context

Major festivals in large urban regions routinely require heavy traffic diversions and massive police deployments to manage huge crowds safely. Local traffic police regularly issue advisories ahead of major public events to help commuters plan alternate routes and avoid congested celebration venues.