Central Delhi decked up, security tightened ahead of BRICS Summit

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Central Delhi turned into a fortress on Friday (September 11, 2026), a day ahead of the BRICS Summit 2026, with 15,000 police personnel and 200 companies of paramilitary forces deployed to secure the dignitaries attending the summit and their movement through the city. Parts of the National Capital also underwent a decorative makeover, with special lighting and floral arrangements at key locations.

Eleven Heads of State or Government are scheduled to attend the summit, which will be held at Bharat Mandapam on September 12 and 13.

Views from outside the Bharat Mandapam Convention center in New Delhi. | Photo Credit: Sushil Kumar Verma

The Delhi Police have stepped up monitoring of social media platforms ahead of the event, with public posts being tracked for possible security threats and misinformation.

Security measures also include monitoring aerial activity and scanning the Yamuna. Shahdara Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Rajendra Prasad Meena conducted boat patrolling ahead of the summit. DCPs in areas housing major historical sites, such as Rajghat and the Red Fort, have also enhanced security in anticipation of unscheduled visits to these tourist destinations.

The Delhi Traffic Police announced traffic diversions and restrictions from 2 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. on Friday in view of VIP and VVIP movements, and advised commuters to plan their journeys and allow extra travel time. Restrictions have been placed on more than 35 roads, with 22 diversion points set up for VIP and VVIP movements.

The traffic police advised motorists heading towards the airports, railway stations and inter-State bus terminals to be prepared for extra travel time and to use public transport wherever possible. According to traffic officials, the diversions did not affect normal traffic flow and remained manageable.

The police also warned that non-destined commercial vehicles would be prohibited from entering Delhi and advised motorists against roadside parking within 200 metres of controlled roads.

Metro services will remain fully operational during the summit. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation announced that services would start early on September 13. “Delhi Metro train services will begin at 6 am on all corridors on Sunday to facilitate the movement of students appearing for examinations and commuters amid traffic restrictions for the BRICS Summit,” the DMRC posted on X.

New Delhi has also been given a decorative makeover ahead of the summit. The New Delhi Municipal Council has illuminated 17 major roundabouts, 11 hotel premises and 10 New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) buildings as part of its preparations.

The roundabouts being decorated include Patel Chowk, Windsor Place, Mandi House, Shantipath-Kautilya, Shantipath-Panchsheel, Shantipath-Satya Marg, RML, Teen Murti, Q-Point, Claridges Hotel, Samrat Hotel, Ashoka Hotel, Methi, Lok Kalyan Metro Station, Man Singh, York Place and PM Roundabout. Floral decorations have also been carried out at these locations.

The areas surrounding important hotels in the NDMC area have also been beautified with uplighters, LED strings and other decorative lighting arrangements on trees. Trees along roads surrounding these hotels will also be illuminated.

On Friday (September 11, 2026) morning, members of the Tibetan community protested against Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to India, his first visit to the country in seven years. The protest, held under the banner of the Tibetan Youth Congress, took place at the Majnu Ka Tila area amid heavy police deployment. Later, the Delhi Police detained some students who climbed poles inside an underpass near Pragati Maidan and waved anti-Xi Jinping flags and the Tibetan national flag.

Parts of the National Capital witnessed light rainfall on Friday, with more rain likely over the next two days, when the BRICS Summit will be underway, according to the India Meteorological Department.

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