Repairs to Delhi’s Old Rao Tula Ram (RTR) flyover have been completed after its closure triggered severe traffic congestion on NH-48 near Dhaula Kuan, with the carriageway expected to reopen on Monday following an inspection, according to a Times of India report.
The carriageway carrying traffic from Indira Gandhi International Airport and Gurgaon towards Vasant Vihar was shut after damage was detected on the flyover. The closure diverted vehicles towards the Mahipalpur-Dhaula Kuan stretch, while congestion also spread to Vasant Vihar and roads in Delhi Cantonment.
The traffic disruption continued for two days as festive-season shopping increased movement on the city’s roads. Initially, commuters used the service road below the flyover, but congestion there extended towards the Gurgaon border, the report said. After traffic advisories urged motorists to avoid the affected stretch, more vehicles shifted to NH-48, placing additional pressure on the highway and both sides of Dhaula Kuan.
The affected highway is part of the Delhi-Mumbai route and was previously known as NH-8, a name still commonly used by commuters. The corridor is a crucial link between the airport, Gurgaon and several south-west Delhi neighbourhoods, making the flyover closure disruptive beyond its immediate location.
Commuters reported lengthy delays on social media, including a 30-minute hold-up while travelling from Terminal 1 towards Dhaula Kuan and Vasant Vihar. One commuter said ambulances had been caught in the congestion and questioned whether preventive traffic measures had been adequate after the flyover problem became known.
Questions were also raised about the movement of trucks and goods carriers on the highway during the disruption. A commuter cited seeing at least 25 such vehicles and suggested that restricting their daytime movement could have reduced pressure on the corridor. The report did not indicate that such a restriction had been imposed.
The repair work is being carried out by the Public Works Department. Delhi Traffic Police has advised motorists to avoid the affected stretch, use alternative routes and allow additional travel time. Motorists seeking assistance can contact the traffic helpline on 1095.
The flyover is expected to reopen after inspection on Monday. Until then, traffic authorities have asked commuters to follow route advisories and avoid the affected section where possible.
