As Durga Puja celebrations in Delhi hit their peak, the usually vibrant lanes of Chittaranjan Park, fondly called “Mini Bengal” are set to see even more action today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit the iconic Kali Mandir and Shiva Temple on the auspicious occasion of Ashtami, a move that has prompted sweeping security measures and significant traffic restrictions across South Delhi. The visit, seen as a gesture of cultural solidarity during one of India’s most widely celebrated festivals, is expected to draw massive crowds, leading authorities to urge commuters to brace for delays.
Preparations for the Prime Minister’s visit have been underway since Monday, with a team from the Special Protection Group (SPG) conducting a thorough security sweep of the area. As part of the heightened protocols, residents along key stretches, including Bipin Chandra Pal Road (from Axis Bank to Market 1), the road between K and J blocks, and Mandir Road in J block, have been asked to move their vehicles off the streets by afternoon. Police have also requested that cars be parked in back lanes, inside gated compounds, or in stilt parking areas, warning that any vehicles left roadside will be towed away.
Local vendors and hawkers near the temple complex have been instructed to vacate certain spots temporarily to ensure the smooth movement of the motorcade and crowds. Additional barricades will be set up inside and around the temple premises to separate VVIP visitors from the general public, and devotees entering the temple complex will undergo enhanced security checks.
The cordon is expected to come into effect around 6:30 p.m. and remain for roughly an hour, although restrictions in and around the area could last until 9 p.m. Authorities anticipate that the heaviest traffic snarls will occur between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., coinciding with the Prime Minister’s visit and peak evening puja timings.
With tens of thousands of devotees expected to gather for Ashtami celebrations, the Delhi Traffic Police has flagged multiple high-traffic corridors where congestion is expected. The Outer Ring Road, particularly the stretch between Panchsheel and Greater Kailash, Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, JB Tito Marg, Inder Mohan Bhardwaj Marg, and CR Park Main Road are likely to witness significant slowdowns throughout the evening.
Vehicular movement will remain restricted on Gurudwara Road, Bipin Chandra Pal Marg, and several internal lanes in CR Park and Greater Kailash-II. Diversions, including the Panchsheel, IIT, and Nehru Place flyovers, will also be enforced at key points. Even vehicles with valid “No Entry” permissions, such as light and heavy goods vehicles, will not be allowed to ply on these roads during the restricted hours.
Commuters have been advised to avoid the affected areas altogether and instead use alternate routes such as MG Road, Aurobindo Marg, Mathura Road, Lala Lajpat Rai Road, and Mehrauli-Badarpur Road. However, authorities have cautioned that these stretches, too may see spillover traffic. Public transport is strongly recommended until the festivities conclude on October 2.
Despite the logistical challenges, the festive spirit in CR Park remains undeterred. The Kali Mandir complex, established in the 1970s and long considered the spiritual heart of Delhi’s Bengali community, has already been witnessing swelling crowds since the start of Navratri. Grand pandals, elaborate rituals, and vibrant cultural performances have turned the neighbourhood into a pulsating hub of devotion and celebration.
The Prime Minister’s participation today is expected to be a highlight of the week-long festivities, reinforcing the significance of Durga Puja as not just a religious observance but also a cultural celebration deeply woven into the city’s social fabric. For locals and visitors alike, the visit marks a historic moment, one where tradition, faith, and the presence of the nation’s leader converge in a single vibrant spectacle.
With security tightened, traffic diversions in place, and crowds expected to swell by the hour, those planning to visit CR Park today might need a little extra patience, and perhaps a backup route or two. But for many, the experience of celebrating Ashtami at one of Delhi’s most iconic puja venues, with the Prime Minister himself joining in, will be well worth the wait.
1. When is PM Modi visiting CR Park?
Tuesday, Ashtami; main security cordon starts around 6:30 p.m.
2. Which roads will face traffic restrictions?
Bipin Chandra Pal Road, Mandir Road (J block), Gurudwara Road, CR Park Main Road, and internal lanes of CR Park & GK-II.
3. What are the recommended alternate routes?
MG Road, Aurobindo Marg, Mathura Road, Lala Lajpat Rai Road, and Mehrauli-Badarpur Road.
4. How long will restrictions last?
Until 9 p.m. locally, with some measures continuing till October 2.
5. What about parking and security?
Residents should use back lanes, gated compounds, or stilt parking; devotees will undergo screening at the main temple entry.
