To reduce traffic jams on one of Delhi’s busiest roads, the city government is planning to build an elevated corridor over the 55-kilometer-long Inner Ring Road. This road is a key route in Delhi, but now it is overcrowded due to the growing population, increasing number of vehicles, and old infrastructure.

The project is still in its early stages. It will follow a toll-based revenue model, meaning people who use the elevated road will pay a toll. This will help reduce the cost for the government and ensure the road is maintained properly in the future.

According to sources, the Public Works Department (PWD) has been told to start the process of hiring a consultant and prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR).

The new corridor could cost between Rs 5,500 crore and Rs 6,000 crore. This means the cost would be about Rs 100 crore per kilometer, which is similar to the cost of other elevated roads in cities across India.

PWD Minister Parvesh Verma confirmed the plan and said, "We've directed officials to expedite the appointment of a consultant. The DPR will examine both technical feasibility and traffic diversion models, ensuring minimal disruption during construction."

The proposed elevated road will be built above the current Inner Ring Road. It will be a "premium corridor" without traffic signals and will allow fast movement for vehicles. People who want to use this smooth, toll-based road can avoid the traffic below.

The Inner Ring Road was made years ago to help traffic move around central Delhi. At that time, Delhi had less than 3 million people. Now, the National Capital Region (NCR) has over 30 million people. Vehicle registrations in Delhi alone have crossed 1.4 crores, according to the Delhi Transport Department.

The current road has many traffic signals, unregulated entry points, and service lanes that are often used for illegal parking. These issues lead to regular traffic jams. A 2024 Delhi Traffic Police Survey found that 12 of the worst traffic areas are on the Inner or Outer Ring Road. These include Ashram, Dhaula Kuan, Moolchand, and ITO.

The final length of the elevated corridor might reach 80 kilometers, including loops, ramps, and interchanges. These will help it connect smoothly with existing roads and reduce traffic problems.

You might also be interested in: Samosas and jalebis to get cigarette-style health warnings in India