Delhi to build Sahibi corridor and shift major roadways to NHAI authority
To revamp Delhi’s creaking road infrastructure and unlock smoother urban mobility, the city government has greenlit the construction of a dual-side corridor along the Sahibi river, while transferring four key arterial roads to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for improved maintenance and seamless management.
The approvals were granted at a recent high-level inter-agency meeting chaired by the Public Works Department (PWD), in what marks a significant step toward modernising the Capital’s transport network to align with global standards of connectivity, sustainability and commuter efficiency. The proposed corridor, to be developed from Dhansa in Najafgarh to Wasai Dharapur near IGI Airport, is expected to serve as an alternative transport artery, strategically bypassing high-traffic zones and decongesting inner-city routes. Officials close to the development said the corridor will not only reduce travel time but also promote equitable access to road infrastructure across the National Capital Territory. In keeping with the government’s thrust on sustainable urbanisation, the corridor’s alignment along the Sahibi river also opens up opportunities for integrated eco-restoration, drainage improvements and green mobility options.
A key highlight of the session was the transfer of four critical stretches, formerly under the PWD, to NHAI. These include the Peeragarhi to Tikri border section and the Peeragarhi to Zakhira segment of NH-10, a 7.5-kilometre portion of Mathura Road (NH-2) between Ali village and the Ashram junction, and an 8-kilometre corridor on Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road (NH-148A). Officials stated that the move is aimed at leveraging the central agency’s institutional capacity to fast-track road expansion, introduce long-term maintenance protocols, and deliver upgraded surfaces conducive to high-volume traffic. The decision is also anticipated to reduce bureaucratic delays often associated with multi-agency jurisdictional overlaps.
Another pivotal decision taken was the clearance for a dedicated slip road connecting NH-48 to Naraina, a longstanding demand from motorists battling bottlenecks near Dhaula Kuan. To implement this, the police station situated adjacent to the Dhaula Kuan metro station will be relocated, freeing up crucial road space. Government insiders believe this realignment will significantly ease vehicular flow, particularly for heavy traffic exiting the expressway and heading toward central Delhi.
These measures come at a time when the city grapples with rising vehicular numbers and deteriorating road conditions that hamper not just economic productivity but also pose serious safety and environmental challenges. The strategic road realignments and asset transfers are seen as a signal of renewed federal-municipal cooperation, with the overarching aim of achieving carbon-efficient, inclusive and future-ready mobility solutions for India’s national capital.
Government officials have confirmed that the inter-agency committee, comprising the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), NHAI and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), will continue to meet at regular intervals to assess progress, coordinate policy actions and ensure rapid on-ground implementation. With eyes set on the long-term vision of a zero-net-carbon city, these developments are being positioned as part of a broader strategy to reimagine Delhi not merely as a city of flyovers, but as a well-connected urban ecosystem where every resident, regardless of their location, benefits from sustainable mobility.
As the capital enters a new chapter in its urban transport journey, the success of these initiatives will depend not only on timely execution but also on citizen participation and environmental accountability. If executed with foresight and inclusivity, the Sahibi corridor and allied infrastructure upgrades could well become a blueprint for other megacities across India.
Delhi to build Sahibi corridor and shift major roadways to NHAI authority
