The Delhi traffic advisory for the Republic Day full dress rehearsal on Jan 23, 2026 is not a routine inconvenience. It is one of the most disruptive single-day traffic events in the entire NCR calendar.
Every year, commuters underestimate it.
Every year, people get stuck for hours.
Every year, social media explodes with rage posts.
And every year, the same mistake happens.
People treat it like a “slight delay day.”
It is not.
This is a near-citywide mobility lockdown across central and east Delhi.
So if you have office, school, airport travel, hospital visits, or inter-city movement planned on Jan 23, 2026, this guide is not optional reading.
It breaks down what actually shuts down, which routes become unusable, where congestion explodes, and how to realistically survive commuting on rehearsal day.
No optimistic police PR.
No fake “smooth traffic” promises.
Only ground-reality logic.
Why Republic Day Full Dress Rehearsal Disrupts Delhi More Than Jan 26
This surprises most people.
The full dress rehearsal day is often more disruptive than Republic Day itself.
Why?
Because:
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Security movement is longer
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Military convoys move repeatedly
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Route sanitization lasts all day
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VIP movement protocols are active
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Barricades stay in place longer
On Jan 26, some closures are time-boxed.
On rehearsal day, they stretch from early morning to late evening.
That is why Jan 23 is the real traffic nightmare.
What the Full Dress Rehearsal Actually Involves
This is not a symbolic practice run.
It is a full operational simulation.
It includes:
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Complete parade run-through
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Military convoy movements
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Aircraft flypast coordination
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VIP convoy simulation
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Crowd security rehearsal
From a traffic perspective, this means:
Every sensitive road around Rajpath, India Gate, and Central Delhi is treated like a live national event.
Major Roads That Become Unusable on Jan 23, 2026
This is where most commuters get trapped.
The following corridors are effectively off-limits for long durations.
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Rajpath and entire Central Vista zone
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India Gate C-Hexagon
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Vijay Chowk
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Raisina Road
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Janpath
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Rafi Marg
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Tilak Marg
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Bhagwan Das Road
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Copernicus Marg
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Shahjahan Road
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Netaji Subhash Marg
These roads are not just slow.
They are physically barricaded.
Trying to “sneak through” is pointless.
Zones That Experience City-Level Congestion
Even if you are not going to Central Delhi, you still suffer.
Because traffic spills outward.
Worst-hit zones:
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Connaught Place
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ITO
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Pragati Maidan
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Mandi House
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Barakhamba Road
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New Delhi Railway Station area
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Civil Lines
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IP Extension
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Laxmi Nagar
These areas turn into choke points.
This is where people lose 60–120 minutes easily.
Delhi–Gurugram and Delhi–Noida Travel Reality
This is where inter-city commuters get destroyed.
On Jan 23:
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NH-48 sees unpredictable slowdowns
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Ring Road traffic backs up
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DND Flyway jams increase
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Noida Link Road congestion spikes
Even if your route is technically “open,” spillover traffic kills speed.
Airport-bound travelers are the biggest victims every year.
Why Google Maps and Waze Often Fail on Rehearsal Day
This is a brutal truth.
Navigation apps are unreliable on rehearsal day.
Why?
Because:
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Roads close dynamically
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Barricades shift without digital updates
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Police manually divert traffic
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Maps lag real-time changes
So blindly following Google Maps often sends you into barricades.
This is not a tech problem.
It is a ground-control problem.
Metro Is the Only Reliable Transport Mode on Jan 23
This is the one clear winner.
Delhi Metro runs normally.
Some stations near Central Vista may have:
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Entry/exit restrictions
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Temporary gate closures
But trains run.
For most commuters, Metro is the only sane choice that day.
If your route is Metro-accessible:
Use it.
Do not fight road traffic.
What Happens to Buses and Autos
This is where chaos multiplies.
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Bus routes get diverted
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Bus stops get relocated
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Auto and cab drivers refuse central routes
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Surge pricing kicks in
So even public road transport becomes unreliable.
Metro remains king.
Who Should Absolutely Avoid Road Travel on Jan 23
If you fall into any of these categories:
Do not use a car.
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Office commuters with flexible timing
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Students
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Shoppers
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Tourists
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Casual travelers
Road travel that day is self-inflicted suffering.
Who Cannot Avoid Road Travel (And What They Must Do)
Some people have no choice.
Hospital visits.
Flights.
Court dates.
Exams.
Inter-city buses.
If that is you:
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Leave 2–3 hours earlier than normal
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Avoid Central Delhi entirely
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Stick to outer ring routes
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Track Delhi Police advisories
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Carry water and snacks
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Expect delays mentally
If you leave “a little early,” you will still be late.
Why Offices and Schools Quietly Go Remote That Day
This is not coincidence.
Most smart institutions already know:
Jan 23 is operationally broken.
That is why:
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Offices quietly allow WFH
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Schools declare late start or holiday
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Coaching centers cancel classes
They don’t advertise it loudly.
But they do it anyway.
The Psychological Trap Commuters Fall Into Every Year
This is the same mistake annually.
People think:
“I’ll manage.”
“It won’t be that bad.”
“I’ve handled worse.”
Then they spend:
90 minutes stuck on a flyover.
Angry.
Sweating.
Late.
Regretting life choices.
Do not be that person.
What Delhi Police Advisories Actually Mean in Reality
Police advisories are always polite.
They say:
“Traffic may be affected.”
“Some routes may be closed.”
“Commuters are advised to plan accordingly.”
Reality translation:
Large parts of Delhi become unusable for cars.
Always assume the worst.
You will be emotionally safer.
Practical Survival Strategy for Jan 23, 2026
This is the only rational plan.
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Avoid Central Delhi completely
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Use Metro wherever possible
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Cancel non-essential trips
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Leave absurdly early for essential trips
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Monitor advisories from Delhi Traffic Police
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Keep phone battery charged
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Carry water
This turns a disaster day into a manageable one.
The Real Economic Cost of Rehearsal Day
This is never discussed.
Thousands of man-hours are lost.
Deliveries fail.
Meetings collapse.
Appointments cancel.
Fuel is wasted.
This one rehearsal day quietly costs crores in productivity.
But national ceremonies don’t care about your meeting.
That is the trade-off.
Conclusion: How to Survive Delhi Traffic on Jan 23, 2026
The Delhi traffic advisory for Republic Day full dress rehearsal on Jan 23, 2026 is not optional reading.
It is survival intelligence.
This is not a day to test patience or bravery.
It is a day to:
Stay home.
Use Metro.
Leave absurdly early.
Cancel non-essential trips.
If you ignore this advisory, Delhi traffic will not negotiate with you.
It will punish you.
Plan accordingly.
FAQs
Why is Delhi traffic so bad on Jan 23, 2026?
Because of Republic Day full dress rehearsal, security movement, and road barricades.
Which areas are most affected?
Central Delhi, Connaught Place, ITO, Pragati Maidan, and surrounding zones.
Is Metro running normally on rehearsal day?
Yes, with minor station entry and exit restrictions near Central Vista.
Should I travel to the airport by car on Jan 23?
Only if unavoidable. Leave 2–3 hours earlier than usual.
Will Google Maps show correct diversions?
Often no. Real-time barricades change faster than map updates.