The much-anticipated widening project for a section of Delhi’s Ring Road, particularly between Majnu Ka Tila and the Wazirabad flyover, has encountered severe delays, transforming what was meant to be a traffic decongestion initiative into a significant urban bottleneck. Initiated two years ago, the project has yet to alleviate congestion, instead contributing to ongoing disruptions.
The Public Works Department (PWD) undertook the road widening project with the objective of expanding the Ring Road near Majnu Ka Tila to ease traffic congestion. The plan involved modifying the road divider to accommodate an additional lane. However, progress has stalled due to various complications, including the construction of a new pedestrian bridge and the removal of an obstructive pillar from the old overbridge. The current state of the road features an uneven surface riddled with potholes, which forces vehicles to reduce speed and exacerbates traffic congestion, even during off-peak hours. The situation has been aggravated by the ongoing monsoon season and the challenge of integrating the new pedestrian bridge, which has further obstructed traffic flow. The PWD official managing the project cited these factors as reasons for the continued delay, promising resolution as work on the new bridge progresses.
In addition to these issues, the stretch of road from the Wazirabad flyover towards Kashmere Gate faces further difficulties with waterlogging-induced craters. These problems contribute to traffic slowdowns that become exacerbated during peak hours. The road widening project, budgeted at Rs7 crore, is designed to enhance the road’s capacity from Wazirabad to Chandgi Ram Akhara Road, ultimately expanding it to four lanes. Despite the intent to improve traffic conditions, the persistent delays have thwarted the anticipated benefits, leaving the road in a state of disrepair. Moreover, the PWD had also planned to construct a pedestrian bridge at the Majnu Ka Tila gurdwara, a project that has only recently commenced, further underscoring the delays. The Majnu Ka Tila area, renowned for its vibrant food scene and high pedestrian traffic, was identified as a critical congestion point. Yet, the protracted timeline of the project has only worsened traffic conditions in this bustling part of Delhi.
The widening initiative was approved two years ago by the Chief Minister as part of a broader strategy to address traffic congestion. However, the extended delays highlight the ongoing challenges in infrastructure development in the city, reflecting a pressing need for more efficient project management and execution to meet the evolving demands of Delhi’s urban landscape.