Tharoor breaks ranks with Chidambaram, backs BRICS Summit as ‘diplomatic power move’

New Delhi is no stranger to traffic woes, but the city faces its most challenging situation yet as it hosts a BRICS summit this weekend. Massive security zones have been established throughout the capital, with parts of the bustling urban center transformed into tightly controlled areas. Despite the city's residents being enthusiastic about welcoming world leaders, the traffic congestion is causing significant frustration and leading to numerous complaints about the city's planning for such events.

The BRICS organization comprises 11 major emerging markets and developing countries, with the name derived from the acronym representing Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. To manage the influx of thousands of police and paramilitary personnel, barricades, checkpoints, and traffic restrictions were implemented across major roads and critical areas on the Friday preceding the summit on Saturday.

In an attempt to mitigate traffic, city authorities declared the day before the summit a public holiday, leading to the closure of government offices, schools, and numerous private businesses.