February 16, 2026. Delhi is currently a fortress. We have the five-day AI Impact Summit kicking off at Bharat Mandapam today, and it’s clashing directly with the start of the CBSE Board Exams tomorrow. The thing is, when you mix 30+ international delegations with 46 lakh students, the math for a smooth commute gets messy. Delhi Police has deployed 10,000 personnel just to keep the city from grinding to a halt. Let’s be real—if you’re heading toward Central Delhi this week, you need to leave yesterday.
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Field Notes: The Delhi Lockdown
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The Force: 10,000 police personnel on the ground. This includes specialized tactical teams and 5,000 traffic-specific staff.
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The Venue: Bharat Mandapam (Pragati Maidan) is the epicenter. Access is locked down via QR-coded accreditation. No “popping in” here.
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Student Priority: Board exams start February 17. Police have been told to treat admit cards like VIP passes. If a student is stuck, cops are sensitized to help them reach centers.
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The “Reliable” Route: Ring Road is being touted as the most reliable north-south corridor (Ashram–ISBT–Dhaula Kuan). Stick to it.
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Airport/Rail Advice: Use the Delhi Metro. It’s the only thing running normally. Road routes to IGI (NH-48) and New Delhi Railway Station will be “dynamic,” which is polite code for “unpredictable.”
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[Image Description: A conceptual image of a Delhi Traffic Police officer in a high-visibility vest standing in front of a digital signage board that alternates between “AI SUMMIT 2026” and “BOARD EXAM: USE METRO,” with the iconic Bharat Mandapam structure in the background.]
Delhi Traffic: Routes & Restrictions (Feb 16–20)
| Category | Roads to Avoid / Regulated | Suggested Alternatives |
| VVIP Zones | Mathura Road, Bhairon Marg, Janpath, Akbar Road | Ring Road, Lala Lajpat Rai Marg |
| Diplomatic Enclave | Shanti Path, Sardar Patel Marg, Satya Marg | Vande Mataram Marg, Rao Tula Ram Marg |
| Central Spine | C-Hexagon, Tilak Marg, Sher Shah Road | Outer Circle Connaught Place (Regulated) |
| Public Transport | Buses/Taxis (Subject to Diversions) | Delhi Metro (Full Service) |
And Here’s the Kicker…
There are 10 specific schools located directly on the VVIP movement routes in the New Delhi district. For students at these centers, the Delhi Traffic Police has deployed dedicated nodal officers. The thing is, while school buses have a “general permit,” they aren’t immune to a VVIP convoy stop which can last up to 30 minutes. Therefore, the advice is brutal but necessary: leave home 45 to 60 minutes earlier than your usual “safe” time. If you’re a student with a 10:30 AM exam, you should be aiming to hit the center gate by 9:30 AM. Or nothing, if you don’t want to risk the gate closing.
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