A South Delhi traffic plan has been proposed to tackle recurring weekend congestion around Sabz Burj roundabout in Nizamuddin, where traffic linked to Humayun’s Tomb, Sunder Nursery and Nizamuddin Dargah frequently spills back towards Bhogal, Oberoi Flyover and Lodhi Road.
The Delhi Traffic Police has suggested four measures to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the Public Works Department (PWD), the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and Sunder Nursery authorities. The proposals include introducing a U-turn arrangement from Lodhi Road, reducing the width of the roundabout’s raised platforms, changing access points for Humayun’s Tomb and Sunder Nursery, and creating alternative parking at an ITI college near the monument.
Under the first proposal, vehicles approaching from Lodhi Road would be directed to take a left-side cut from Lodhi Flyover towards the Subramania Bharati T-point before making a U-turn. The stated objective is to reduce the volume of traffic moving directly towards Sunder Nursery from one side and ease pressure at the roundabout.
The traffic police has also proposed reducing the width of the platforms around Sabz Burj roundabout to increase the usable carriageway. The report said vehicles stopping near the roundabout, Sunder Nursery and Humayun’s Tomb currently restrict movement and contribute to blockages extending towards the Oberoi Flyover and the Lodhi Road-Sunder Nursery stretch.
A separate part of the plan involves shifting or modifying access arrangements for Humayun’s Tomb. The suggested location for the monument’s entry and exit points is on Mathura Road near the subway. The traffic police has also proposed changes to the parking gate at Sunder Nursery and the use of an ITI college beside the monument as an alternative parking facility.
The congestion is not limited to visitors to the heritage sites. A lane leading to the Nizamuddin Dargah opens near the police station on Mathura Road, where autos and other vehicles are reported to occupy a substantial part of the road. This reduces the available carriageway and can push traffic congestion back towards Bhogal.
The area combines several high-footfall destinations within a short road network, including Nizamuddin Dargah, Humayun’s Tomb, Sunder Nursery and a museum. Weekend visits to Sunder Nursery increase during the cooler months, while events at the nursery add to traffic demand. Vehicles stopping to drop off or pick up visitors, along with parking demand near the sites, further narrows the movement corridor.
The proposals require coordination across agencies because the affected roads, parking areas and heritage properties fall under different institutional responsibilities. The report said the ASI had not yet responded to the traffic police’s suggestions. It also noted that work around protected monuments is subject to restrictions under applicable heritage rules.
The measures therefore remain proposals rather than an announced traffic diversion or completed infrastructure change. The next step is a response from the concerned agencies, followed by a decision on whether any access, parking or road-layout changes can be implemented around Sabz Burj roundabout.
