Central govt offices in Delhi to remain closed on September 11 for BRICS Summit

All Central government offices in Delhi will remain closed on September 11 in view of the BRICS Summit, which will bring several world leaders and high-level delegations to the national Capital. The 18th BRICS Summit is scheduled to be held at Bharat Mandapam on September 12 and 13 under India's chairship of the grouping. The decision to close Central government offices comes as authorities prepare extensive security and traffic arrangements for the high-profile gathering. Foreign delegations are expected to begin arriving in Delhi from September 10, while their departures are likely to continue until around September 14.

Traffic curbs planned

Movement across parts of central, south and southwest Delhi is expected to be affected during the summit period because of motorcades carrying heads of state and other foreign dignitaries between the airport, hotels, Bharat Mandapam and other locations.

Delhi Traffic Police has prepared a detailed traffic management plan for the summit, with nearly 4,800 personnel expected to be deployed across the city. Officials have identified around 22 points where traffic may be diverted during VIP movements. Restrictions are expected to be imposed on a need basis rather than through continuous closure of major roads.

Foreign delegations are expected to stay at several hotels across the Capital, requiring elaborate arrangements for their movement to and from the summit venue. Full-scale motorcade rehearsals have already begun to identify possible bottlenecks and fine-tune traffic arrangements.

India hosts BRICS leaders

The summit will be one of the biggest diplomatic gatherings hosted by India this year and comes during the country's BRICS chairship for 2026. India's theme for its chairship is “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to hold a series of engagements with visiting leaders on the sidelines of the summit. Russian President Vladimir Putin is among the leaders expected to travel to India for the meeting.

Authorities are expected to issue detailed traffic advisories closer to the summit, specifying restrictions, diversions and alternative routes for commuters. Residents have been advised to keep track of traffic alerts during the period as temporary road closures could be imposed to facilitate the movement of foreign delegations.