Paharganj, ITO & Delhi airport: These 3 key areas set for traffic overhaul
The PWD has floated a tender to appoint a consultant to carry out a feasibility study and prepare a detailed project report for all three stretches
3 min read
Officials said the PWD recently inspected these locations to study traffic patterns, bottlenecks, types of vehicles that ply on the stretches, surrounding infrastructure, and travel times (File)Three major arterial intersections leading to Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS), and ITO often face severe traffic congestion due to multiple signals and slow-moving vehicles.
To address this, the Public Works Department (PWD) is planning to construct elevated stretches or underpasses at these locations to improve connectivity and make the routes signal-free. Officials said the PWD recently inspected these locations to study traffic patterns, bottlenecks, types of vehicles that ply on the stretches, surrounding infrastructure, and travel times to assess ground realities. Here’s what it found:
Deshbandhu Gupta Road
Due to its proximity to NDLS, the road stretch from Paharganj to Ajmeri Gate remains heavily congested throughout the day.
According to officials, the 7-km-long road has around 7 traffic signals, contributing to persistent bottlenecks. “Congestion is caused by a mix of slow-moving vehicles and cross movements, during both peak and non-peak hours,” an official said.
“There’s a traffic signal every kilometre, which disrupts the flow. Crossing a short distance that should take 5-10 minutes often takes over 30 minutes. To resolve this, the department will study the stretch to determine the feasibility of a flyover or underpass,” the official added, noting that segregated pedestrian paths and foot overbridges are also being planned.
NSG Junction
This 2-km-long and six-lane signallised junction provides connectivity to the Delhi Airport, Dwarka, and Gurgaon. It is also frequently used by top politicians due to its proximity to the airport.
“After a joint inspection by the PWD’s project division along with the Traffic Police and Delhi Airport authorities, the department is planning to construct a grade separator at the junction by extending the current infrastructure with loops and ramps,” said an official.
“All three authorities unanimously agreed that a Y-shaped flyover is required at this intersection to ease traffic coming from IGI Airport’s Terminal 3. One arm will connect the NSG Office to Meh-ram Nagar East, and the other towards Dwarka,” the official added.
Officials said that with the construction of grade separators and widening of roads, it will improve access to the airport and ease traffic load on Dhaula Kuan and Gurgaon corridors.
ITO intersection
ITO is a hub of key government offices such as the Income Tax Office, PWD Headquarters, and several publication houses. It connects the Chief Minister’s Office to the Supreme Court.
The intersection is also a major convergence point for roads like the ITO Flyover, Vikas Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, DDU Marg, and Tilak Marg — resulting in frequent jams. “Both foot and vehicle movement are high. The mix of slow-moving vehicles and cross-traffic leads to frequent congestion,” an official said.
To ease the situation, PWD plans to study a 4-km stretch covering the ITO Flyover, Vikas Marg, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, and the W-point on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg toward Delhi Gate. “An underpass or flyover will help eliminate the five signals on these routes, and loops and ramps will be added for U-turns,” the official said.
The PWD has floated a tender to appoint a consultant to carry out a feasibility study and prepare a detailed project report for all three stretches.
You May Like
Photos
