Red Fort rehearsal closes Delhi roads ahead of Independence Day

Delhi held its full-dress Independence Day rehearsal at the Red Fort on Thursday, with early-morning road restrictions and additional security checks ahead of the August 15 ceremony.

Roads around the Red Fort were closed to general traffic from 4am to 10am, with access limited to permitted vehicles. The curbs affected routes through Old Delhi and central Delhi, where diversions added pressure to the morning commute. Commuters were advised to use the Metro and plan journeys around restricted areas.

Police also tightened checks in Shahdara, which has seven border points adjoining Ghaziabad. Police said they stopped commercial vehicles at the border points while allowing vehicles carrying essential commodities through. They deployed temporary pickets and patrol vehicles in sensitive areas.

Police will maintain patrols on the Yamuna’s Khadar side behind the Red Fort complex until the main Independence Day event on August 15. The Prime Minister is scheduled to address the nation from the Red Fort ramparts that day.