Delhi Government Approves First Corridor Of Elevated Ring Road To Ease Traffic Congestion

The Delhi Government has approved the first corridor of the long-awaited Elevated Ring Road project, marking a significant step towards reducing chronic traffic congestion in the national capital.

The project is aimed at easing pressure on some of Delhi's busiest arterial roads and improving overall traffic flow.

Phase 1A Gets Priority in Six-Phase Plan

The Elevated Ring Road is planned as a six-phase project, with Phase 1A selected for immediate execution. This initial corridor will span nearly five kilometres, connecting Majnu Ka Tila with the historic Salimgarh Fort. The full project, once completed, will cover a total distance of 57.5 kilometres across the city.

Officials said this stretch was prioritised due to severe traffic congestion and its relative technical feasibility. The Preliminary Project Report has already been finalised, while the Detailed Project Report is expected within two months. Once the DPR is completed, the tender process will begin.

Six Corridors Proposed, One Approved for Now

While the overall plan includes six elevated corridors, approval has currently been granted only for Phase 1A. The proposed corridors include routes from Azadpur Chowk to Metcalfe House Junction, Salimgarh Fort to DND Flyover, DND Flyover to Moti Bagh Metro Station, Moti Bagh to Rajouri Garden, and Rajouri Garden back to Azadpur Chowk. Authorities have indicated that future phases will be considered after reviewing the progress and impact of the first corridor.

Relief Expected for Kashmere Gate Traffic Bottlenecks

According to officials, the approved corridor partially falls under the National Highway network and is expected to significantly ease congestion at major choke points, particularly around the Kashmere Gate area. By diverting through-traffic onto the elevated road, pressure on surface roads is likely to reduce substantially.

The alignment runs parallel to the Yamuna River and falls within the O-Zone, requiring strict adherence to Master Development Plan norms. The route also intersects with key infrastructure such as the Red Line Metro and existing grade separators, making coordination a crucial challenge.

Heritage and Infrastructure Considerations

The corridor passes near three ASI-protected monuments, including Salimgarh Fort. Officials have assured that all construction activities will strictly follow Archaeological Survey of India guidelines. The project also seeks to revive the original vision of the Mahatma Gandhi Ring Road by restoring smoother and faster traffic movement around Delhi.

With rising vehicle numbers and peak-hour congestion on the Ring Road and Outer Ring Road, the elevated corridor is expected to reduce traffic load, cut down travel time and help lower air and noise pollution. To minimise land acquisition, the elevated road is proposed to be built on pillars along the central verge.