Traffic Issues Disrupt AI Impact Summit in Delhi for Global Leaders

Delhi's chronic traffic problems arose once again during the AI Impact Summit, leading to delays for international delegates, including former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Sunak, arriving late for a session at the British High Commission in New Delhi, acknowledged the issues, stating, "AI can do many things, as we’ve heard this week, but it can’t yet fix Delhi’s traffic." His remarks elicited laughter from the audience as he emphasised the ongoing challenges faced by commuters in the capital. Alongside him was UK Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy.

The traffic complications stemmed from events at Bharat Mandapam, the venue for the summit, combined with route adjustments for high-profile visitors. These changes resulted in significant congestion throughout the city. Local commuters reported experiencing considerable delays, with vehicles often reduced to a crawl or halted completely on major roads. Many took to social media to express their frustration, with one user lamenting, "Crazy gridlock of traffic in central Delhi. Stuck for more than an hour. Due to the VVIP movement, our movement gets restricted. Nobody cares for normal people who are working hard every day."

Navigation applications indicated frequent and abrupt rerouting as roads were unexpectedly closed, leading some residents to suggest using the Delhi Metro instead of personal vehicles during the summit days. The widespread traffic chaos not only disrupted local commuters but also affected international attendees.

Sara Hooker, co-founder and CEO of Adaption Labs, was among those impacted, missing a notable dinner hosted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi after being caught in traffic. Hooker had returned to her hotel to change for the evening gala, which included select global delegates and industry leaders. The delays suggested that the traffic control measures for VIP security were not sufficient to accommodate the influx of attendees at such a significant international event, highlighting the city's ongoing struggles with mobility and infrastructure under heavy traffic conditions.

In light of these challenges, city officials and event organisers will need to reassess traffic management strategies for future high-profile gatherings to ensure smoother operations and accessibility for all participants.