Delhi has moved to accelerate a new phase of transport infrastructure development, clearing a set of tunnel, elevated road and bypass projects with a combined estimated investment of ₹8,500 crore. The proposed corridors are designed to address long-standing traffic bottlenecks within the Capital while strengthening road-based connectivity across the wider National Capital Region (NCR).
According to officials involved in project planning, the largest component is a proposed five-kilometre underground road linking the Mahipalpur area near the airport to the Gurugram–Manesar belt. The tunnel, estimated at ₹3,500 crore, is intended to separate long-haul and regional traffic from local airport-bound movement, a recurring choke point on Delhi’s southern edge. Urban mobility specialists say such grade-separated infrastructure could significantly reduce surface congestion, particularly during peak travel hours. Another high-value project is an elevated corridor connecting the AIIMS area with Mahipalpur, budgeted at approximately ₹5,000 crore and currently in early development stages. This stretch forms part of one of Delhi’s most overloaded arterial routes, carrying hospital traffic, airport access vehicles and daily commuters. Planners involved in the project say the corridor is being designed to minimise land acquisition while maintaining continuity for existing local roads below.
Beyond the city limits, the government has also announced a 41-kilometre connectivity corridor linking Tronica City with Ghaziabad and Noida. Once operational, this route is expected to allow uninterrupted travel from Uttarakhand towards eastern NCR without entering Delhi’s inner road network. Regional planning experts note that such bypass-style infrastructure plays a critical role in reducing freight and intercity traffic pressure on urban roads. Within Delhi, upgrades are also planned for the heavily congested Ashram–Badarpur stretch along Mathura Road. The proposal includes a combination of underpasses and elevated flyovers aimed at eliminating signal delays. Officials estimate that average travel times on this corridor could drop sharply once the upgrades are complete, improving reliability for both private vehicles and public transport.
Separately, a signal-free circular road at Kalindi Kunj has reached the detailed project report stage, following design principles used on earlier high-capacity corridors in south and central Delhi. Transport analysts caution, however, that while road expansion can offer near-term relief, long-term congestion management will depend on integrating these corridors with mass transit, freight planning and demand management. From a climate and urban resilience perspective, planners say grade separation can reduce vehicle idling and emissions if paired with traffic optimisation systems.
However, they also stress the importance of safeguarding pedestrian access, cycling continuity and neighbourhood connectivity during execution.
As Delhi balances rapid growth with environmental constraints, the success of this ₹8,500 crore infrastructure push will hinge on coordinated implementation, construction discipline and alignment with public transport and clean mobility goals across the NCR.
Delhi Unveils Major Tunnel And Elevated Road Push
