Key Highlights:
- Approximately 11,000 invitees expected with 1,000 cars and 300 buses for 150 years of Vande Mataram celebration at Indira Gandhi Stadium
- Traffic restrictions and diversions in effect from 5 AM to 2 PM on November 7, 2025, across central Delhi’s ITO and Rajghat areas
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated year-long nationwide commemoration marking 150 years since Bankim Chandra Chatterjee composed the national song on November 7, 1875
Opening Overview
The Delhi Traffic Police issued a comprehensive advisory warning commuters of major traffic restrictions and diversions across central Delhi on November 7, 2025, as the Ministry of Culture organized celebrations marking 150 years of Vande Mataram at the Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex. The traffic restrictions for 150 years of Vande Mataram commemorations affected multiple key stretches including Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Indraprastha Marg, and Vikas Marg between 5 AM and 2 PM. According to the official traffic advisory, approximately 11,000 invitees were expected to attend the celebrations marking 150 years of Vande Mataram, arriving in nearly 1,000 cars and 300 buses, necessitating extensive traffic management measures across the ITO and Rajghat areas.​
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the year-long commemoration on November 7, 2025, at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, formally launching nationwide celebrations that will continue until November 7, 2026. The date holds profound historical significance, as the national song Vande Mataram was composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee on November 7, 1875, during the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Navami. The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Modi, approved the nationwide celebrations on October 1, 2025, recognizing the historic role of 150 years of Vande Mataram in India’s freedom struggle. The commemorative event featured mass singing of the full version of Vande Mataram at 9:50 AM across public places nationwide, with participation from citizens across all segments of society.​
Traffic Diversions And Restricted Routes
- BSZ Marg, JLN Marg, MG Marg, IP Marg, and Vikas Marg faced traffic restrictions or diversions throughout the celebration period​
- Complete traffic prohibition on Secretariat Road and Velodrome Road to facilitate smooth movement for the 150 years of Vande Mataram event​
- Additional restrictions extended to routes connecting Shanti Van Crossing, Rajghat, Bhairon Marg, Geeta Colony Flyover, IP Flyover, and Saleem Garh Bypass​
- Traffic congestion anticipated on Delhi Gate, Rajghat-Kishan Ghat/Power House Road, and ITO to Yamuna Bridge stretches during restricted hours​
The Delhi Traffic Police specifically advised commuters to avoid BSZ Marg, IP Marg, Vikas Marg, JLN Marg, MG Marg/Ring Road, and Saleem Garh Bypass between 5:00 AM and 2:00 PM to prevent delays caused by the 150 years of Vande Mataram celebrations. Movement of vehicles on several key stretches in central Delhi was regulated or diverted to ensure smooth traffic flow and security arrangements for the cultural programme commemorating 150 years of Vande Mataram.
Traffic may have been restricted or diverted on both carriageways of multiple routes, including Shanti Van Crossing to Rajghat to Bhairon Marg (MG Marg), under Geeta Colony Flyover to IP Flyover to Saleem Garh Bypass, and W Point to Delhi Gate. The comprehensive traffic advisory for 150 years of Vande Mataram covered major transportation corridors to accommodate the arrival and departure of thousands of dignitaries, cultural performers, and invited guests.​
Parking Restrictions And Entry Gates
- Parking strictly prohibited on Velodrome Road, Secretariat Road, IP Marg, BSZ Marg, Vikas Marg (ITO to Yamuna Bridge), and JLN Marg (Delhi Gate to Rajghat)​
- No parking allowed on MG Marg/Ring Road from Shanti Van to Bhairon Marg Crossing, Saleem Garh Bypass, and Power House Road​
- Vehicles parked in restricted areas subject to towing and legal prosecution under traffic laws​
- Entry to Indira Gandhi Stadium regulated through designated gates with East Side (Gates 1, 2, 3, 7, 8) accessible via Velodrome/Secretariat Road​
The Delhi Traffic Police warned that vehicles found parked in restricted areas during the 150 years of Vande Mataram celebrations would be towed and legal action would be taken against violators. Entry to the Indira Gandhi Stadium for the 150 years of Vande Mataram commemoration was regulated through designated gates, with Gates 19, 21, 22, and 23 on the West Side accessible from Mahatma Gandhi Marg or Ring Road.
Parking was not permitted on Velodrome Road, Secretariat Road, Indraprastha Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Vikas Marg, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Mahatma Gandhi Marg/Ring Road, Saleem Garh Bypass, and Power House Road during the celebration period. The strict parking restrictions for 150 years of Vande Mataram were implemented to prevent congestion and ensure smooth movement of the nearly 1,000 cars and 300 buses transporting invitees to the cultural programme.​
Historical Significance Of Vande Mataram
- Composed by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee on November 7, 1875, during Akshaya Navami, marking 150 years of Vande Mataram in 2025​
- First published in literary journal Bangadarshan in 1875 and later incorporated into novel Anandamath published in 1882​
- First sung publicly by Rabindranath Tagore at the 1896 Indian National Congress session in Calcutta​
- Adopted as national song by Constituent Assembly on January 24, 1950, with equal status to national anthem Jana Gana Mana​
The year 2025 marks 150 years of Vande Mataram, as the national song was written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee during the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Navami on November 7, 1875. Vande Mataram first appeared in the literary journal Bangadarshan as part of Chatterjee’s novel Anandamath, a Bengali historical novel set against the background of the Sannyasi Rebellion and Great Bengal famine of 1770.
The six-stanza hymn, composed beneath a mango tree in the village of Kanthalpada, Naihati, North 24 Parganas District, fused Sanskrit grandeur with Bengali melody to invoke the Motherland as the embodiment of strength, prosperity, and divinity. The song gained political significance when it was set to music and sung publicly for the first time by Rabindranath Tagore at the 12th annual session of the Indian National Congress held in Calcutta in 1896, under the presidency of Rahimtulla M. Sayani.​
The celebrations marking 150 years of Vande Mataram commemorate the song’s enduring role as a rallying cry during India’s freedom movement and its continued significance as a symbol of national pride and unity. On January 24, 1950, the Constituent Assembly of India officially adopted Vande Mataram as the national song, with the first President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, stating that it should be honored equally with the national anthem Jana Gana Mana.
The Union Cabinet’s approval on October 1, 2025, for nationwide celebrations to mark 150 years of Vande Mataram recognizes the historic importance and national significance of this timeless composition. Bankim Chandra Chatterjee (1838-1894), one of the most prominent figures of 19th-century Bengal, holds a pivotal role in the intellectual and literary history of Bengal, and his composition of Vande Mataram is recognized as a milestone in nationalist thought.​
Nationwide Commemoration Activities
- Year-long commemoration from November 7, 2025, to November 7, 2026, approved by National Implementation Committee on October 24, 2025​
- Prime Minister released commemorative stamp and coin marking 150 years of Vande Mataram at inauguration ceremony​
- Mass singing of full version coordinated across public places at 9:50 AM with participation from all segments of society​
- Cultural programme at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium featured performances by prominent singers, exhibitions, and short films highlighting the song’s legacy​
The Ministry of Culture organized the inaugural ceremony commemorating 150 years of Vande Mataram on November 7, 2025, at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the chief guest. This event marked the formal launch of a year-long nationwide commemoration from November 7, 2025, to November 7, 2026, celebrating 150 years of this timeless composition that inspired India’s freedom movement.
The celebrations commenced at 10:00 AM with mass singing of the full version of Vande Mataram spread across public places, with participation from school children, college students, officials, elected representatives, police personnel, doctors, teachers, drivers, shopkeepers, and all other relevant stakeholders across all segments of society. Prime Minister Modi released a commemorative stamp and coin on the occasion of 150 years of Vande Mataram, highlighting the government’s recognition of the song’s historic importance.​
The year-long commemoration of 150 years of Vande Mataram received approval from the National Implementation Committee on October 24, 2025, following the Union Cabinet’s decision on October 1, 2025. The celebrations are aimed especially at youth and students to deepen awareness of the significance of 150 years of Vande Mataram through countrywide initiatives, educational programmes, and public commemorations across states and Union Territories.
Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Saxena, and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta were present at the inaugural celebration of 150 years of Vande Mataram. The national-level inaugural programme featured performances by prominent singers, the release of a commemorative stamp and coin, exhibitions, and short films highlighting the legacy of 150 years of Vande Mataram.​
Closing Assessment
The traffic restrictions imposed across central Delhi for the celebration of 150 years of Vande Mataram reflect the scale and national importance of commemorating this historic milestone in India’s cultural and political heritage. The comprehensive traffic management plan implemented by Delhi Traffic Police, affecting major routes including BSZ Marg, IP Marg, Vikas Marg, JLN Marg, and MG Marg between 5 AM and 2 PM, successfully facilitated the arrival of approximately 11,000 invitees in 1,000 cars and 300 buses to the Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex.
The year-long commemoration of 150 years of Vande Mataram, running from November 7, 2025, to November 7, 2026, provides an opportunity to highlight the contribution of Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and reaffirm the values of unity, sacrifice, and love for the nation that the song embodies.​The celebration of 150 years of Vande Mataram serves as a reminder of the song’s enduring significance as a symbol of patriotism, unity, and service to the nation since its composition on November 7, 1875.
The traffic disruptions, while causing temporary inconvenience to Delhi commuters, were necessary to ensure the smooth conduct of inaugural celebrations marking 150 years of Vande Mataram, which featured mass singing across the nation and the release of commemorative stamps and coins by Prime Minister Modi. The Union Cabinet’s approval and the National Implementation Committee’s detailed action plan underscore the government’s commitment to celebrating 150 years of Vande Mataram through countrywide events that engage youth, students, and citizens across all segments of society.
