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Commuters in central Delhi are likely to face major traffic disruptions on Friday, with multiple events scheduled to mark National Unity Day, October 31 — the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The Delhi Traffic Police have issued a detailed advisory outlining road closures and diversions expected during the morning and evening rush hours as the city prepares for large-scale commemorative gatherings.
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, or National Unity Day, is observed every year on October 31 to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and celebrate his crucial role in promoting national integration and unity in India.
The day's events will kick off with floral tributes at Patel Chowk, attended by the President, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, between 6 AM and 7:30 AM. Following this, the city will host the “Run for Unity,” expected to see around 10,000 participants, running from 6 AM to 9:30 AM.
To ensure smooth conduct of these events, several central Delhi roads will be closed or diverted. DDU Marg, from the Minto Road traffic signal to ITO Chowk, will remain completely off-limits to vehicles. Traffic will also be restricted on Ashoka Road, Sansad Marg, C-Hexagon, Mathura Road, Purana Qila Road, and adjacent connecting streets.
During the “Run for Unity,” on Sardar Patel's birth anniversary, traffic will be curtailed along the designated route from Purana Qila Road to Shahjahan Road and surrounding feeder roads from 6 AM to 9:30 AM. Authorities have advised commuters to avoid the area during these hours, as vehicular movement will be limited to prioritise participant safety.
Motorists travelling towards Dhaula Kuan are encouraged to use Vande Matram Marg and Mother Teresa Crescent Marg as alternative corridors. Additionally, during the floral tribute, vehicles will be rerouted from Outer Connaught Circle to Sansad Marg, with Patel Chowk, Sansad Marg, and Ashoka Road entirely closed to traffic.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s ideology was based on Gandhian principles, emphasising unity in diversity, social justice, and self-reliance. He championed nonviolent resistance, secularism, and the establishment of a robust democratic framework for India. As the first Home Minister, he was instrumental in establishing the administrative structure of independent India and ensuring law and order. As Congress President, he used his position to advocate for social reforms such as the abolition of untouchability.
Patel was instrumental in shaping the Indian Constitution as chairman of the Advisory Committee on Fundamental Rights, Minorities, and Tribal Areas. He guided the framing of fundamental rights, minority protections, and tribal safeguards, including the first draft of reasonable restrictions. His efforts ensured the Constitution balanced individual freedoms with unity, laying the foundation for a secular, inclusive, and robust democratic India.
Patel was a vocal critic of the RSS’s ideology, which he believed spread communal tensions and fostered an environment of hatred that contributed to Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination. His concerns led to the 1948 ban on the organisation. In his letters, Patel argued that the inflammatory rhetoric promoted by the group was unnecessary for protecting Hindu interests and had ultimately cost the nation the invaluable life of Gandhi. He rejected the RSS’s narrow, sectarian notion of nationalism, contrasting it with his own vision of a united, secular India.
Why will traffic be affected in central Delhi on Friday?
Traffic will be disrupted due to National Unity Day events, including floral tributes at Patel Chowk and the “Run for Unity,” marking the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
When will the main traffic restrictions be in place?
Road closures and diversions are expected during the morning and evening peak hours, with key restrictions from 6 AM to 9:30 AM for the “Run for Unity.”
Which roads will be closed or diverted?
Major roads affected include DDU Marg, Ashoka Road, Sansad Marg, C-Hexagon, Mathura Road, Purana Qila Road, Patel Chowk, and connecting streets along the event routes.
What alternative routes are available for commuters?
Commuters heading towards Dhaula Kuan are advised to use Vande Matram Marg and Mother Teresa Crescent Marg. During the floral tribute, vehicles will be diverted from Outer Connaught Circle to Sansad Marg.
How will the “Run for Unity” affect traffic?
Traffic along Purana Qila Road, Shahjahan Road, and connecting feeder roads will be restricted from 6 AM to 9:30 AM to ensure participant safety. Commuters are advised to plan their travel accordingly.
