Workers paint a sidewalk near Bharat Mandapam ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit.
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Delhi is transforming into a fortress as it prepares for the BRICS Summit from September 11 to 13, with unprecedented security deployments, round-the-clock civic monitoring, strict traffic curbs and surging demand for premium hotel rooms.Ahead of the high-profile gathering, Delhi Police held an inter-state coordination meeting on Thursday with senior officials from Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Chandigarh and Haryana. Discussions focused on tightening border checks, monitoring suspicious persons and vehicles, tracking drone activity and issuing proactive traffic advisories to the public.Police teams are mapping three to four alternative routes between hotels, Bharat Mandapam, and other venues. Security arrangements include rooftop snipers and drone surveillance, along with a full motorcade rehearsal on September 5, from 10 am to 4 pm, which will necessitate traffic diversions.Cosmetic driveMeanwhile, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has launched a cosmetic drive on a war footing. In coordination with police agencies, teams are inspecting 41 major roads across 14 zones and conducting strict drives against illegal parking, street vending, encroachments, and unauthorised hoardings along VIP corridors.The security measures are already affecting city commerce and hospitality. Traders expect traffic restrictions to affect footfall, as authorities remove roadside hawkers from Connaught Place. Sanjeev Mehra, president of the Khan Market Traders Association, said market associations in New Delhi had received no directions on closures, though traffic curbs during the BRICS summit could affect footfall. FSSAI has asked five-star hotels to adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards food safety violations, with hotels assuring strict compliance.Hotel demandMeanwhile, hotel demand has surged. Ixigo said searches for five-star hotels in Delhi have risen 50 per cent, while rates have increased by more than 100 per cent week-on-week. Some hotels are sold out for September 12-13, with available rooms starting at around Rs 1 lakh and reaching ₹2.4 lakh per night.Overall hotel bookings in Delhi are up 25 per cent year-on-year, while airfares have risen by 39 per cent. Hotels including The LaLiT New Delhi are preparing to host international delegations as India holds the BRICS chairship in 2026. “Delegations and representatives from countries including South Africa, Burundi and the UAE, among other countries, are expected to stay at the hotel, contributing to the diverse international presence that The LaLiT New Delhi will host during the summit period,” said Vishal Sharma, General Manager, The LaLiT New Delhi.He said BRICS has driven an exceptional surge in demand for accommodation in The Lalit New Delhi, with rates now surging to 30 per cent higher than normal tariffs. According to Cleartrip’s PeekABoo trends tracker, Delhi is experiencing a travel surge around the BRICS Summit 2026 weekend. Hotel bookings to the capital are up 25 per cent year-on-year, reflecting increased movement into the city during the period.The tracker said international travellers heading to Delhi are from a diverse mix of destinations, with Ho Chi Minh City, Kathmandu, London, Bangkok, Hanoi and Kazakhstan emerging among the key origin points. On the domestic front, travellers were primarily arriving from Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai and Leh.Published on September 4, 2026
