New Delhi Railway Station Traffic Advisory And Chelmsford Road Works

Traffic movement around New Delhi Railway Station is set to stay slow this month, as work on the Chelmsford Road side continues and road space shrinks. Delhi Traffic Police have warned of regular congestion near Paharganj, Connaught Place and nearby central Delhi areas and asked commuters to plan routes with care till 31 December.

In a detailed advisory for passengers and regular road users, traffic police urged people heading to the station or crossing the area to shift towards the Ajmeri Gate side wherever possible. Officials said this would help ease pressure on Chelmsford Road, where construction activity has already narrowed the carriageway and triggered frequent jams.

New Delhi Railway Station traffic advisory and diversions

The advisory stated: "This is to inform the general public and commuters that redevelopment work of New Delhi Railway Station (Paharganj Side) is presently underway, due to which traffic movement around Gate No. 1 on Chelmsford Road will remain affected from December 10 till December 31.The ongoing construction and shifting activities have resulted in reduction of road space and traffic congestion and therefore Gate No. 1 on Chelmsford Road remains frequently congested for traffic movement,"

Reinforcing this message, the traffic police added: "They should avoid unnecessary movement around the station's Gate No. 1 at Paharganj side on the Chelmsford Road due to restricted access and construction activity. Passengers and road users are advised to plan their journey well in advance to avoid last-minute delays. They are requested to follow the instructions of Delhi Traffic Police personnel deployed onsite and observe temporary diversions and signage,"

New Delhi Railway Station traffic impact on central Delhi roads

Officials expect congestion near Chelmsford Road to spill over to several key stretches that link New Delhi Railway Station with central and north Delhi. According to the advisory, traffic on Minto Road, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, Bhavbhuti Marg, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg and Desh Bandhu Gupta Road may slow down, especially during peak arrival and departure hours.

A senior traffic police officer, who requested anonymity, cautioned that the impact would not stay localised. The officer said, "Disturbance on the Chelmsford Road would have a cascading effect on the Connaught Place Outer Circle and the other alternate routes for access to the railway station. We have increased the presence of traffic personnel on such routes to avoid major traffic snarls. We urge the public to avoid improper parking on the routes."

New Delhi Railway Station traffic flow, layout and nearby locations

New Delhi Railway Station sits about two kilometres north of Connaught Place and is one of India’s busiest passenger hubs. Platform 1 faces Paharganj and connects directly to Chelmsford Road, while platform 16 opens on the Ajmeri Gate side. The station serves dense commercial zones including Connaught Place, Civic Center, Sadar Bazar, Chandni Chowk and Karol Bagh.

Chelmsford Road itself houses several important facilities that draw steady visitor traffic. These include the station’s entry and exit points on the Paharganj side, a ticket booking centre, Northern Railways Central Hospital, Karnail Singh Stadium and the Sri Lanka Buddhist Pilgrims' Rest House. The advisory warned that access to these locations may be slower until the end of December.

With more vehicles now expected to rely on the Ajmeri Gate approach, police anticipate heavier crowds on that flank of New Delhi Railway Station as well. Officials said footfall would rise near the Ajmeri Gate forecourt and adjoining roads, as travellers switch routes to avoid the construction belt on Chelmsford Road and the Paharganj entry.

The Rail Land Development Authority’s long-term project is driving the current disruption near New Delhi Railway Station. Planned since 2021, the redevelopment is split into two phases and carries an estimated outlay of ₹4,700 crore. Besides rebuilding the station campus, the scheme also includes construction of seven flyovers that will feed traffic into the upgraded complex and neighbouring areas.

An RLDA spokesperson outlined the goal of the project, saying: "The objective of the project is to elevate this station into a world-class transportation hub, providing state-of-the-art facilities and amenities. This comprehensive development plan envisions the station as an integrated transportation hub seamlessly connecting rail, metro, bus and other modes of transport, ensuring convenient and hassle-free connectivity for passengers."

According to RLDA officials, the redesign centres on two linear station buildings, one each on the Paharganj and Ajmeri Gate sides. Plans include an air concourse with separate arrival and departure plazas, new waiting areas, lifts, escalators, retail spaces and offices. The layout is meant to support hospitality, recreation and housing for railway operational staff within an integrated campus.

The transport blueprint features elevated and surface road networks designed to ease New Delhi Railway Station traffic pressure on surrounding streets. It includes upgraded platforms, a parcel zone with two tunnels for cargo, and controlled parking and circulation facilities across the station. For now, authorities are asking travellers to cooperate with diversions and adjust travel plans while construction narrows Chelmsford Road through 31 December.