New Delhi: Delhi govt has moved a step closer to easing congestion on one of the capital’s busiest corridors, identifying a nearly 22km priority stretch between Ashram and Mukarba Chowk as the “most viable starting point” for Phase I of the 57.5km elevated Ring Road project.PWD minister Parvesh Verma said the detailed project report noted the section offers a relatively clearer obstruction-free alignment, allowing faster execution with fewer logistical hurdles compared to densely built-up stretches. “It has fewer encroachments and simpler engineering requirements, so construction can proceed with minimal disruption and faster timelines,” an official said.The corridor, referred to as the ‘Urban Ring Expressway’ by PWD, will run above Mahatma Gandhi Marg, commonly known as Inner Ring Road, a 55-57 km arterial loop serving as the backbone of Delhi’s transport network. The project is expected to significantly reduce travel time across key routes, said Verma.The project has been divided into phases, covering critical junctions like Majnu Ka Tila, Salimgarh Fort, Moti Bagh, Rajouri Garden and Azadpur. The Mukarba Chowk-Ashram stretch has been further divided into three segments: from Mukarba Chowk near Azadpur to Metcalf House, Majnu Ka Tila to Salimgarh Fort, and from Salimgarh Fort to DND flyover.There are several challenges, among them the integration of the elevated road with existing infrastructure, including a grade separator and the Red Line near Kashmere Gate. Officials said careful planning will be required to ensure seamless connectivity without disrupting existing systems.Another sensitive aspect involves heritage conservation. The alignment passes close to three protected monuments, including Salimgarh Fort, which falls under ASI jurisdiction. Authorities have assured construction activities will strictly adhere to ASI guidelines to safeguard the historical structures.The corridor also cuts through some of Delhi’s most densely populated neighbourhoods, including South Extension, Punjabi Bagh, Lajpat Nagar and Ashram, raising concerns about traffic diversions during execution.Financial viability remains another major hurdle. The project’s estimated cost ranges between Rs 5,500 crore and Rs 8,000, said a senior official.Inner Ring Road begins at Shalimar Bagh in north Delhi and extends to Azadpur. Once a relatively efficient arterial corridor designed to facilitate cross-city travel, Ring Road now faces chronic congestion and is buckling under mounting pressure, unlike Outer Ring Road, developed later to redirect peripheral traffic. From urban sprawl and flawed planning to infrastructure saturation and enforcement gaps, several factors have forced the once-speedy corridor into a glacial pace.Originally planned in the 1950s and completed in the following decades, Ring Road has witnessed a very different city — both in terms of population and traffic volume. Back then, Delhi had less than three million residents. Today, it is home to over 30 million. The road, however, has not expanded proportionately to accommodate this growth. What was once designed as a bypass now functions as a semi-central road.As the city grew outward, neighborhoods like South Extension, Punjabi Bagh, Lajpat Nagar and Ashram became dense urban hubs. Ring Road now cuts through commercial, institutional and residential areas, and is used to access shops, markets, schools and hospitals, all of which lead to frequent stops and lane intrusions. Intersections like AIIMS, Moolchand, Dhaula Kuan, Ashram and ITO have turned into major choke points where arterial routes intersect. While flyovers and underpasses have been built at some locations, they often only shift the congestion rather than resolve it.
