Why the table matters: India’s TT stars face a different game at Asian Games

New Delhi is a city notorious for its traffic congestion, and the situation is expected to worsen when a BRICS summit is held in the city this weekend. As India prepares to host the gathering of the world's major emerging economies, parts of the city have been turned into tightly controlled security zones. Thousands of police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed, with barricades and checkpoints in place across major roads and key areas.

The city authorities have declared it a public holiday, closing government offices, schools, and many private businesses to reduce traffic and give security agencies greater control over movement.

The BRICS grouping, comprised of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, will be represented by leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The summit, which begins on Saturday, is expected to draw thousands of attendees and delegates. To help manage the expected traffic chaos, city officials have urged residents to work from home where possible, plan journeys in advance, and follow official traffic advisories.

However, millions of Delhi residents still need to go to work, leading to difficulties reaching work as roads are closed, routes are diverted, and traffic restrictions change frequently.

The restrictions have disrupted daily life in the capital, with office workers, delivery drivers, and daily wage earners reporting difficulties in reaching work. Taxi fares have risen in some areas due to longer routes and increased congestion. Residents have taken to social media to post images of barricaded roads, seeking advice on how to navigate the city during this time of heightened security measures.

Some have expressed concern that the security arrangements for foreign dignitaries are coming at the expense of ordinary residents, with organizers urged to ensure that no trouble is faced by either the public or the guests.