Want to attend the Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort? Here’s how

Last year, by 6 am, the enclosure was packed with people who had come to attend the function.

“Public persons can attend the celebrations using a valid photo identity card. They can access the public enclosure from the Chandni Chowk side, moving towards Esplanade Road and further to the Link Road. Owing to Independence Day, the Delhi Metro starts early, so we request those who want to attend to use the Metro. Avoid driving since remote car keys are not allowed inside for security reasons,” a police officer said.

Apart from the public enclosure, citizens can book tickets online via the Ministry of Defence portals from August 13. One has to upload a photo identity card, make the payment online for the ticket.

The sale of offline tickets was for two days, till August 12 only. Tickets were priced at Rs 20 (General), Rs 100 (Standard), and Rs 500 (Premium).

Officers said the general public should be seated before 6.30 am since VIPs and guests would start arriving post that.

For those visiting to watch the celebrations, these items are strictly prohibited: cameras, binoculars, remote control car keys, umbrellas, handbags, briefcases, transistors, cigarette lighters, tiffin boxes, water bottles, lunch boxes, etc.

“Members of the public are requested not to touch any suspicious object. They are requested to immediately report the presence of any unidentified/suspected object, suspicious movement of individuals or vehicles, or anything out of the ordinary, to the nearest policeman,” officers said.

Metro services to begin at 4 am

“To facilitate special guests, invitees, and the general public to attend the Independence Day ceremony on Friday, 15th August 2025, the Delhi Metro will commence its services at 4 am on all its Lines from all terminal stations. The train services will be available at a frequency of 30 minutes on all the Lines till 6 am. Thereafter, regular timetable will be followed for the rest of the day,” it said.
“In addition, people who will have a bona fide Invitation Card issued by the Ministry of Defence for attending the Independence Day ceremony will be facilitated with travel to and from the venue using special QR tickets supplied by the DMRC. The Lal Quila, Jama Masjid, and Delhi Gate Metro stations are the closest to the venue.”

Traffic curbs around Red Fort

The following roads will be closed for general traffic from 4 am to 10 am on August 15, and only labeled vehicles will be permitted:

• -⁠Netaji Subhash Marg from Delhi Gate to Chatta Rail
• -⁠Lothian Road from GPO Delhi to Chatta Rail
• -⁠⁠SP Mukherjee Marg from HC Sen Marg to Yamuna Bazar Chowk
• -⁠Chandni Chowk Road from Fountain Chowk to Red Fort
• -⁠Nishad Raj Marg from Ring Road to Netaji Subhash Marg
• -⁠Esplanade Road and its Link Road to Netaji Subhash Marg
• -⁠Ring Road from Rajghat to ISBT

Roads to be avoided on Friday from 3 am to 10 am

Those vehicles that do not have parking labels for the rehearsal may avoid: C-Hexagon India Gate, Copernicus Marg, Mandi House, Sikandra Road, W Point, A point Tilak Marg, Mathura Road, BSZ Marg, Netaji Subhash Marg, JL Nehru Marg, Ring Road between Nizamuddin Khatta and ISBT Kashmere Gate, Outer Ring Road from Nizamuddin Khatta & ISBT Kashmere Gate via Salimgarh bypass.

Adequate informative signage will be displayed to guide vehicular traffic destined for the Red Fort at all important traffic junctions.