New Delhi: Delhi govt set the ball rolling with the first corridor being cleared for the proposed Elevated Ring Road project, a major infrastructure initiative aimed at easing chronic congestion on the city’s arterial roads.The ambitious project was divided into six phases for systematic implementation, with Phase 1A — a nearly 5km stretch between Majnu Ka Tila and Salimgarh Fort — approved as the priority corridor to be taken first. A senior govt official said the priority phase was identified keeping in view traffic density and feasibility.
“A preliminary project report was already prepared. The detailed project report (DPR) is expected to be ready within the next two months, following which the tender process will begin,” he said.According to the project details, the elevated ring road will cover a total length of 57.5km. Apart from Phase 1A, the other proposed corridors include Azadpur Chowk to Metcalfe House Junction (7km), Salimgarh Fort to DND Flyover (11.5km), DND Flyover to Moti Bagh Metro Station (10.5km), Moti Bagh Metro Station to Rajouri Garden (10km), and Rajouri Garden to Azadpur Chowk (13.5km). Of these, only the 5km Phase 1A was prioritised at present. Officials said this corridor falls partly on a national highway and focuses primarily on improving mobility rather than liveability parameters.However, developing an elevated corridor presents an opportunity to improve road infrastructure. Several congestion bottlenecks exist along this stretch, particularly near Kashmere Gate, which could be bypassed by diverting through-traffic to elevated levels. The corridor runs parallel to the Yamuna, which falls under the O-Zone. As a result, planning will need to adhere to Master Development Plan norms, he said.The stretch also intersects a grade separator and the Red Line Metro corridor near Kashmere Gate junction, requiring careful integration of existing transport infrastructure, he said. Additionally, three ASI-protected monuments, such as Salimgarh Fort, lie along the route. Officials said ASI guidelines will be strictly followed during planning and execution.The project is intended to revive the original vision of Mahatma Gandhi Ring Road, which was designed to facilitate smooth traffic movement around Delhi. Over the years, rapid urbanisation, a steep rise in vehicle numbers, and limited public transport options turned the corridor into one of the city’s most congested stretches, contributing significantly to air and noise pollution.PWD minister Parvesh Verma had earlier described the project as one of the biggest initiatives of BJP-led Delhi govt and said it would be completed during its tenure. Officials said Ring Road and Outer Ring Road carry the heaviest traffic load during peak hours.“Adding capacity through an elevated corridor will ease pressure on the existing road while decongesting connecting arterial routes,” a senior official said, adding that the elevated road would be built on pillars along the central verge, minimising the need for land acquisition.Once a high-speed arterial route, the Ring Road now cuts through dense residential, commercial and institutional areas, such as South Extension, Punjabi Bagh, Lajpat Nagar and Ashram.
