India AI Summit Day 3: PM Modi’s ‘Sovereign AI’ Vision & Special Traffic Arrangements (4 PM

NEW DELHI, Wednesday, Feb 18, 2026: The national capital is currently the global headquarters for artificial intelligence as the AI Impact Summit 2026 enters its high-stakes third day at Bharat Mandapam. While the summit has become a platform for India's "Sovereign AI" ambitions, residents are advised to navigate the city with care due to massive VVIP movements scheduled for this evening.

1. Delhi Traffic Alert: Evening Regulations (4 PM – 10 PM)

The Delhi Traffic Police has clarified that while there is no city-wide lockdown, "special traffic arrangements" are in effect from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM today to facilitate the movement of world leaders, including PM Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron.

High-Impact Zones (Avoid These Stretches)

Commuters should expect heavy regulations and intermittent diversions on:

The Diplomatic Corridor: Sardar Patel Marg, Shanti Path, and Mother Teresa Crescent.
Central Delhi Nerve Centers: Akbar Road, Janpath, Windsor Place, and Prithvi Raj Road.
Transit Arteries: Mathura Road (specifically the stretch between Lodhi Flyover and Bhairon Marg), Africa Avenue, and Dr. Zakir Hussain Marg.

✅ Suggested Alternate Corridors

To avoid congestion, motorists are urged to use:

Ring Road & Barapullah Road (Best for North-South transit)
Aurobindo Marg & Lodhi Road
APJ Abdul Kalam Marg & Panchsheel Marg
Public Transport: The Delhi Metro is the most reliable mode of travel today, as it remains completely unaffected by road-level security protocols.

2. PM Modi's Blueprint: The "Sovereign AI" Revolution

Addressing the summit on Day 3, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shifted the dialogue from mere technology adoption to "technological sovereignty." He emphasized that for India to reach its Viksit Bharat 2047 goals, it must lead in AI creation, not just consumption.

IndiaAI Mission (₹10,372 Cr): The mission is now scaling its compute capacity. Reports indicate India has already onboarded over 38,000 GPUs to provide low-cost compute access (at approximately ₹65 per hour) for startups and students.
Fifth Industrial Revolution: PM Modi described AI as the driver of a new civilizational inflection point. He highlighted the "Bharat Vistaar" initiative, which is already delivering AI-powered crop and weather advisories to millions of farmers in their local dialects.
Inclusion over Innovation: The motto of the summit—“Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhay” (Welfare for all)—underscores the focus on human-centric AI that protects rights while ensuring inclusive growth.

3. Global Perspectives: Tech Giants and Social Impact

The summit is witnessing unprecedented global participation, with tech icons and leaders from over 45 countries.

Nvidia's Indian Supercluster: Reports confirm that Yotta Data Services is building one of Asia's largest AI hubs near Delhi using Nvidia's latest chips, a project valued at over $2 billion.
The "AI by HER" Challenge: At Sushma Swaraj Bhawan today, the NITI Aayog-backed global challenge is awarding grants up to ₹2.50 crore to women technologists developing AI solutions for public health and urban mobility.
Ethics & Governance: Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales and other experts participated in "Chakras" (working groups) discussing AI safety and the risks of misinformation, urging a balance between rapid innovation and ethical safeguards.

4. Essential Checklist for New Delhi Residents

Student Priority: Traffic personnel have been instructed to prioritize the movement of students appearing for ongoing board examinations.
Airport/Railway Travel: If you have a flight or train after 5 PM, leave at least 90 minutes earlier than usual to account for spillover traffic.
Expo Entry: Entry to the AI Impact Expo at Bharat Mandapam will be strictly regulated after 4:00 PM due to the arrival of international delegates for the evening plenary.