In less than 24 hours, 2025 is going to be a thing of the past, and Delhi NCR has laid down multiple irresistibly wild parties to welcome 2026. Yet, with drunken nights and happy times also come the stress of roadblocks, police restrictions, safety issues, and the timing of favourable transportation. With preparations for New Year’s Eve in full throttle, Delhi has already started putting traffic restrictions for crowd management. Nevertheless, when has overcrowding and road blocks stopped Delhi people from going all out? All you need is a bit of pre-planning, and we are ready to party all night. We have compiled all the information you need to know about traffic restrictions and public transport hours in Delhi for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, before you head out.
Traffic Restrictions For New Year’s Eve in Delhi
With heavy footfall and celebrations expected around the city, Delhi traffic police have made special restrictions, road diversions, and parking arrangements to maintain a smooth and safe travel. These restrictions begin at 7:00 PM on December 31, especially around Connaught Place and India Gate, which sees a heavy influx of partygoers.
Connaught Place: No-entry zones
Vehicles, both public and private, are barred from entering Connaught Place beyond:
- R/A Mandi House
- R/A Bengali Market
- North foot of Ranjit Singh Flyover
- Minto Road-Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg crossing
- Chelmsford Road near Munje Cown (New Delhi Railway Station)
- R.K. Ashram Marg – Chitragupta Marg Crossing
- R/A Gole Market
- R/A G.P.O., New Delhi
- Patel Chowk
- Kasturba Gandhi Road – Ferozeshah Road Crossing
- Jai Singh Road – Bangla Sahib Lane
- R/A Windsor Palace
Furthermore, vehicles will not be allowed in the inner, middle, or outer circle of Connaught Place except for those carrying valid passes.
Connaught Place: Parking Arrangements
Motorcycles can park at the following locations:
- Near Gole Dak Khana on Kali Bari Marg, Pt. Pant Marg, Bhai Veer Singh Marg
- Near Patel Chowk on Rakab Ganj Road, behind AIR
- Near Mandi House on Copernicus Marg up to Baroda House
- Near Minto Road on D.D.Upadhyaya Marg and Press Road area
- Near Panchkuian Road on R.K.Ashram Marg, Chitragupta Road & Basant Road towards Pahar Ganj
- Near K.G. Marg – Ferozeshah Road Crossing on Copernicus Lane and K.G. Marg towards C-Hexagon
- Near R/A Bengali Market on Babar Road and Tansen Marg
- Near Windsor Place, Ranjendra Prasad Raisina Road
- Near Gole Market at Peshwa Road, Service Road along Bhai Veer Singh Marg and R.K.Ashram Road
- Near R/A Buta Singh on Jantar Mantar Road, Raisina Road
It’s important to remember that the parking near Connaught Place is limited and heavily regulated. It will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Unauthorised vehicles risk being towed away and prosecuted.
Special Arrangements to New Delhi Railway Station
To ensure smoother access to the Delhi Railway Station, particularly from the south, authorities have listed alternate routes as well for motorists.
- Ram Manohar Lohiya Park Street → Mandir Marg →Rani Jhansi Road → R/A Jhande Walan → Desh Bandhu Gupta Road
- R/A GPO → Kali Bari Marg → Mandir Marg → Rani Jhansi Road → R/A Jhande Walan → Desh Bandhu Gupta Road
- R/A Windsor Place → Ferozeshah Road → Mandi House → ‘W’ Point → ‘A’ Point → DDU Marg → Bhav Bhuti Marg
Entry from Chelmsford Road to Connaught Place is prohibited.
To reach the station, motorists can use the Second entry gate on the Ajmeri Gate via Pahar Ganj-Shiela Cinema or Ajmeri Gate → J.L.N. Marg, via B.S.Z. Marg → Delhi Gate → J.L.N. Marg
Old Delhi Railway Station remains unaffected.
Police have also suggested alternative routes for north-south and east-west movement.
North-South Movement:
Ring Road from ISBT to Ashram or via Delhi Gate → Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg → Mathura Road to Ashram
Vice versa via ISBT, Rani Jhansi Marg, Panchkuian Road, Mandir Marg, Park Street, Mother Teresa Crescent Road, via Rani Jhansi Marg, Panchkuian Road, Hanuman Murti, Ring Road
East-West Movement:
Ring Road → Bhairon Road → Mathura Road → Subramaniam Bharti Marg → Mother Teresa Crescent → R/A R.M.L → Park Street → Shankar Road
New Year’s Eve Traffic at India Gate
Citing heavy pedestrian and vehicular movement, the Delhi Traffic Police has prohibited vehicles through the C-Hexagon and India Gate area. Areas including Q-point, Mandi House Road to Purana Qila, and Sunheri Masjid Road will be restricted for vehicles.
Traffic Advisory for Saket
Traffic diversions and regulatory measures have also been put in Saket in South Delhi due to celebrations at Select City Avenue Mall and MGF Metropolitan Mall. The arrangements will be effective from 12:00 PM onwards, and diversions from 2:00 PM on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Affected Roads:
Press Enclave Road
Internal roads of Saket and Pushp Vihar
Diversion Points:
Sheikh Sarai Red Light (Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg)
Asian market Red Light (MB Road)
PTS Malvoya Nagar red Light (Sri Aurobindo Marg)
Restrictions:
Median cuts from Sheikh Sarai to Hauz Rani will be closed,
Heavy vehicles and DTC buses are not permitted on Press Enclave Road.
DTC will not be allowed towards Pushp Vihar from the MB Road.
Alternate Routes:
Traffic from Chirag Delhi to Qutub Minar can take the route via Khapur
T-point → MB Road → Lado Sarai T-Point
Traffic from IIT Flyover towards Sangam Vihar/Sainik Farms can take the route via TB Hospital Red Light → Lado Sarai Red Light → MB Road → Chirag Delhi → Khanpur Red Light
Paharganj traffic advisory
Due to the large number of devotees expected at Shri Mata Jhandewalan Mandir, the road around the Rani Jhansi Road will be affected.
Motorists should avoid Rani Jhansi Road during the peak hours of the New Year celebrations. Alternative routes include DBG Road, New Rohtak Road, and other adjoining roads.
This is applicable for both December 31, 2025 and January 1, 2026.
Public Transport Hours For New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day
Delhi Metro usually runs from 6:00 AM to 11:30 PM. There have been no official announcements for a change in metro timings for New Year’s Eve. Based on last year’s data, the timings may extend until 12:30 AM. Keep an eye out for DMRC’s official website or social media channels. Check here.
DTC buses run from 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Use apps like Chartrs or Moovit to track the buses.
DTC also offers night bus services connecting areas like Uttam Nagar, ISBT, and Mukarba Chowk, running until 1:30 AM to 4:00 AM (please check the timetable and app for details). Redditors have also stated that due to irregularities with bus timetables, DTC night buses may be unreliable.
Check for bus timetable here.
Must-Know Safety Tips And Precautions
- Avoid roads wherever possible and plan your trip in advance
- Plan your rides to and from ISBT, railway stations, and the airport sufficiently in advance.
- The traffic rules and regulations regarding drinking and driving are extremely strict at this time, with regular police.
- Be patient with the traffic
- Take public transport as much as you can; otherwise, consider sharing rides like UBER and OLA
- Download the One Delhi or Chartr app for tracking your buses and planning your trip.
- Keep updated with the traffic conditions on the official social media channels of Delhi Traffic Police, like X and Instagram.
- Use public transport near Delhi Zoo and Pragati Maidan due to limited parking
- Parking is limited and is on a first-come and first-serve basis.
- Only authorised vehicles can enter Connaught Place with a pass.
- DTC Night buses exist but are less frequent, and according to Redditors, may be unreliable for post-midnight travel
- Metro doesn’t run beyond 12:00 AM
- Book cabs like UBER or OLA beforehand, as they have surge charges and remain high in demand.
- Wear an N95 mask for pollution safety, as the AQI in Delhi is still pretty dangerous.
- If you are a woman, take extra precautions. Especially at Connaught Place, which attracts a rowdy crowd on New Year’s Eve.
- Avoid heading out solo. It can get overwhelming quite easily, especially if you are new to town. Be with a group so you can plan your transport back together.
- Keep an eye on your valuables, like your mobile and wallet.
- Book your party passes beforehand; it is difficult to bar-hop during New Year’s chaos.