Messi in Delhi Today: Traffic advisory issued, multi-layered security at Arun Jaitley Stadium, CHECK diverted routes

GOAT Tour: Football legend Lionel Messi set to arrive in Delhi on Monday. Delhi Police has issued a detailed traffic advisory. Check diverted routes and restrictions here.

Traffic Advisory: After successfully completing the Mumbai and Hyderabad legs and facing chaos in Kolkata, Football legend Lionel Messiis all set to arrive in Delhi on Monday, December 15. He is scheduled to visit Arun Jaitley Stadium. A multilayered security has been enforced at the stadium for the star footballer’ security and to maintain law and order during the event. The Delhi Police have also issued a detailed traffic advisory, requesting commuters to check the diversions and restrictions in and around the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

Messi GOAT Tour: Traffic Advisory

According to the traffic advisory, route diversions have been implemented on Bahadurshah Zafar Marg and Jawaharlal Nehru (JLN) Marg. Delhi Traffic Police have restricted the movement of heavy vehicles between Daryaganj and Bahadurshah Zafar Marg, and from Guru Nanak Chowk to Asaf Ali Road.

Delhi Traffic Police took to X and requested commuters to avoid JLN Marg, Asaf Ali Road and Bahadurshah Zafar Marg as these are linked to Lionel Messi’s itinerary.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

In connection with the “LIONEL MESSI G.O.A.T INDIA TOUR – DELHI LEG” at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Ferozshah Kotla Ground on 15.12.2025 (01:00 PM – 04:00 PM), traffic movement is expected to remain slow / affected in and around the stadium due to traffic regulations… pic.twitter.com/KD9Sjj3OjU

— Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) December 14, 2025

Parking Restrictions

• The Traffic Police have banned parking around Arun Jaitley Stadium, and vehicles parked illegally will be towed and fined.
• Authorities have urged people to use the Delhi Metro and public buses.
• Lionel Messi is scheduled to arrive in Delhi at 10:45 am on Monday.
• As per schedule, Messi will start his visit with a 50-minute meet-and-greet at a city hotel.
• Messi will then hold a 20-minute meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the PM’s residence.
• He will also meet with Chief Justice Surya Kant and Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi.

Main event at Arun Jaitley stadium

• Messi is expected to arrive at Arun Jaitley Stadium around 3:30 pm.
• He will receive a grand welcome followed by musical performances.
• Messi will felicitate Minerva Academy teams that clinched three youth football trophies.
• He will also visit a mini football field where celebrities will play a friendly match.
• Messi will receive a gift from two Indian cricketers.
• He will then present two pre-signed jerseys in return.

Dense Fog In Delhi

Delhi and the adjoining National Capital Region (NCR) woke up to dense smog on Monday. The dense blanket of smog, that blanketed the entire NCR region reduced the visibility to near-zero and slowed early-morning traffic across the city.

The Meteorological Department has issued an alert for the dense fog that engulfs parts of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Delhi. According to the forecast, dense fog is expected in most parts of Punjab and Haryana on December 15-16, and in North Eastern India from December 15 to 19, as well as in Himachal Pradesh from December.

Delhi Air Quality

The capital city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) plunged to “Severe Plus” category, crossing the 456 mark. Air quality monitor recorded an AQI of 500 in Ashok Vihar area in the early hours of Monday. Anand Vihar and Akshardham areas recorded the air quality index above 490, placing the areas in ‘Severe’ category. In Dwarka, the AQI stood at 469.

Cold To Increase In North India

The Meteorological Department has forecasted that mercury is expected to drop by two degrees in the next 48 hours. This development will bring the overall nighttime temperature of North India down by 1.5 to 2 degrees. However, the weather department stated that the maximum temperatures will not see a significant drop.