Chehlum In Delhi: What Travellers Face On Tuesday

Delhi Traffic Police has issued a traffic advisory for Tuesday, 4 August 2026, when Chehlum processions are moving through parts of South and Central Delhi. Diversions and special arrangements are in force across the Southern Range and central districts, and officers have warned of congestion on several main arterial roads through the afternoon.

In South Delhi, slow movement is expected from 2 pm on Aurobindo Marg, Lodhi Road, Ring Road, Bhishma Pitamah Marg (BP Marg) and adjoining roads. In Central Delhi, heavy traffic and diversions are anticipated between 12 pm and 5 pm, though the advisory does not list every affected road. Police have asked commuters to avoid these stretches where possible, plan journeys in advance and allow extra time, particularly those heading to railway stations, airports and hospitals. Passengers travelling to New Delhi Railway Station have been advised to enter from the Ajmeri Gate side during the notified hours.

Commuters have been urged to use Delhi Metro Rail for a hassle-free journey during the day. The police say special arrangements and diversions will remain in force throughout Tuesday, with ground personnel deployed, and are issuing real-time updates on congestion and route changes through their official social media channels.

Why The Processions Tie Up South And Central Delhi's Roads

Why The Processions Tie Up South And Central Delhi's Roads

Chehlum, observed 40 days after Ashura, commemorates the death of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE. Shia Muslims mark the day with prayers, mourning processions and religious gatherings, and the observance is also associated with the annual pilgrimage to Karbala.

Advertisement

The advisory itself does not say how long any individual road stays closed. But the notification window — noon onward in Central Delhi and from 2 pm in the Southern Range, with arrangements staying in force throughout the day — points to disruption stretching into the evening commute on key north-south arterials such as Lodhi Road and Ring Road, which connect large residential areas with central Delhi's business and government districts.

The police response follows a familiar pattern for major religious processions in the capital: advance notice, route diversions, personnel on the ground and a push toward the Metro, which remains the most reliable cross-city option while roads are blocked.

Practical Advice For Tuesday's Commute

For commuters travelling through South or Central Delhi on Tuesday, the police advisory translates into a few concrete steps:

  • Prefer Delhi Metro Rail for journeys across or through the affected areas — the police's explicit recommendation for a hassle-free trip.
  • After 2 pm, expect slow traffic on Aurobindo Marg, Lodhi Road, Ring Road and Bhishma Pitamah Marg (BP Marg), and use alternative routes.
  • If travelling to New Delhi Railway Station during the notified hours, approach from the Ajmeri Gate side.
  • Build extra buffer time into trips to railway stations, airports and hospitals, and check the Delhi Traffic Police's official X (formerly Twitter) account for live updates on diversions before setting out.