New Year rush: CP to go vehicle-free; regulated traffic at hotspots; zoo braces for 30,000 visitors

Anticipating heavy footfall in Connaught Place and nearby areas on New Year’s Eve, the Delhi Traffic police issued an advisory on Tuesday about traffic regulations in central Delhi and other bustling areas.

The advisory spells a vehicle-free Connaught Place from 7 p.m. on Wednesday, with both private and public transport barred. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation will shut the Rajiv Chowk metro station’s exit gates after 9 p.m.

Authorities at the National Zoological Park (NZP) have put in place security measures, anticipating 25,000 to 30,000 visitors. “The footfall on January 1, 2025, was 25,346. This is expected to go up this year as we are already recording over 20,000 visitors per day,” said Dr. Sanjeet Kumar, the NZP Director.

Forty security personnel will guard each entry gate, visitor area, animal enclosures, and parking zones.

“The number of entry/exit gates will be increased from six to eight. The footfall will be regulated through online ticket bookings. We have requested Delhi Police to deploy personnel on January 1 to assist with crowd management, traffic movement, and law-and-order,” the director added.

For animals, the director said, species-specific dietary enrichment is being planned. Additionally, heaters and blowers have been installed, along with bedding and wooden platforms in the enclosures.

Traffic regulation

In view of huge footfall expected at the zoo, the Delhi traffic police has advised commuters to avoid the Bhairon temple-Mathura Road stretch between Hazrat Nizamuddin and Pragati Maidan.

Vehicles will not be allowed at Mandi House, Bengali Market, Minto Road–DDU Marg crossing, R.K. Ashram Marg, Gole Market, Patel Chowk, Kasturba Gandhi Road–Ferozeshah Road crossing, Jai Singh Road–Bangla Sahib Lane, and Windsor Place, an officer said. Traffic restrictions will also be in place around Rani Jhansi Road and adjoining areas as a huge rush is expected at Jhandewalan Mandir. Limited parking will be available at Connaught Place on a first-come, first-served basis.

South Delhi’s popular malls—Select Citywalk, DLF Avenue, and MGF Metropolitan—will also see traffic diversions in place.