Delhi's Major Traffic Overhaul: Rs 1,471 Crore Elevated Corridor Approved for MB Road
In a significant move to address one of south Delhi's most persistent traffic nightmares, the Public Works Department (PWD) has received the green light for a massive infrastructure project. Administrative approval and expenditure sanction of Rs 1,471.1 crore have been granted for an integrated elevated road along the congested Mehrauli–Badarpur (MB) Road corridor.
Project Details and Scope
The ambitious project proposes the construction of a 12-kilometer transit corridor featuring a six-lane elevated road complemented by a network of underpasses. This comprehensive infrastructure is specifically designed to alleviate chronic congestion and ensure smoother traffic flow between Saket's G Block and Pul Prahladpur.
Planned in careful alignment with an existing Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) corridor, the project represents a strategic integration of road and metro infrastructure. This coordinated approach aims to optimize limited space in one of the capital's busiest and most challenging stretches.
Strategic Importance of MB Road
MB Road serves as a crucial connector in southern Delhi, linking the capital with key National Capital Region hubs including Gurgaon and Faridabad. The corridor passes through numerous dense, high-traffic zones including:
- Mehrauli
- Saket
- Khanpur
- Tigri
- Tughlaqabad
- Pul Prahladpur
The corridor's significance is further amplified by its integration with major metro lines, with crucial interchanges available at Saket (Yellow Line) and Tughlaqabad (Violet Line).
Addressing Chronic Congestion Challenges
For years, MB Road has struggled with severe traffic bottlenecks. Large sections traverse mixed land-use areas such as Sangam Vihar, Lal Kuan, and Khanpur village, where residential clusters, bustling markets, roadside parking, bus stops, and heavy pedestrian movement compete for limited road space.
Officials confirm that the existing road capacity has become completely inadequate to handle the steadily growing traffic volume, resulting in frequent bottlenecks and significant travel delays.
Project Structure and Implementation
The project has been strategically divided into two distinct segments:
- Segment One: Covers the elevated corridor from Saket G Block to Sangam Vihar. Here, an integrated structure will be designed and constructed by DMRC, with costs shared between PWD and the metro agency.
- Segment Two: Extends from Maa Anandmayee Marg to Pul Prahladpur. DMRC will undertake both design and construction responsibilities for its own infrastructure as well as the PWD's elevated road components.
While earlier arrangements split responsibilities between PWD and DMRC, authorities have now decided to entrust the entire elevated road work across both segments to DMRC on a deposit-work basis. Notably, approximately 60% of the work has already been completed under previous agreements, providing a substantial head start for project completion.
Expected Benefits and Impact
Beyond the primary goal of easing congestion, the project promises multiple significant benefits:
- Reduced Travel Time: Enabling free-flowing traffic will dramatically cut commute durations
- Environmental Benefits: Lower fuel consumption and reduced vehicular emissions in a city grappling with severe air pollution
- Enhanced Safety: Improved road geometry and grade separation will benefit both motorists and pedestrians
- Increased Efficiency: A comprehensive road safety and efficiency study has underscored the urgent need for such capacity expansion
Once completed, the elevated road and underpass network is expected to transform commuting along MB Road, offering a faster, more reliable alternative through one of Delhi's most persistently congested routes.
