Commuters in Delhi are soon going to experience a significant shift in their daily travel as the government prepares a massive plan for Signal Free Super Roads. Major routes including Ashram-Badarpur, Mehrauli-Gurgaon, and Punjabi Bagh-Tikri Border are being transformed to eliminate red lights and reduce congestion. These projects are aimed at cutting travel times from hours to just a few minutes while also addressing the city’s growing pollution concerns through better infrastructure.
Key Signal-Free Projects and Estimated Travel Times
The government is focusing on several high-traffic corridors to ensure smooth movement across the city. For instance, the Mehrauli-Gurgaon route is undergoing flyover construction that will reduce a one-hour journey to just 15 minutes. Similarly, the road from Punjabi Bagh to Tikri Border, which currently takes about an hour and a half, is planned to be covered in 30 minutes once the signal-free corridor is ready. The Ashram-Badarpur route will feature three new flyovers to allow non-stop travel from the border to the heart of the city.
- Barapullah Phase-III: Connects Sarai Kale Khan to Mayur Vihar Phase-1 for direct South-East Delhi connectivity.
- Shiv Murti Tunnel: A 5.5 km long tunnel near the airport to bypass the heavy traffic coming from Gurgaon.
- Mehrauli-Badarpur Road: A 6-lane elevated corridor from Saket G-Block to Pul Prahladpur.
- Delhi-Dehradun Highway: Construction is nearly complete and ready for its upcoming inauguration.
Project Costs and Official Implementation Details
The Delhi Cabinet and the Central Ministry have approved significant budgets for these infrastructure upgrades. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta recently approved the revised budget for the Barapullah Phase-III project to ensure its completion by June 2026. Union Minister Harsh Malhotra also shared details in the Lok Sabha regarding the impact of these highways on reducing pollution. Since vehicular emissions contribute to over 25 percent of Delhi’s air pollution, smoother traffic is seen as a key solution.
| Project Name | Estimated Cost | Completion Status |
|---|---|---|
| Barapullah Phase-III | Rs 1,635.03 Crore | June 2026 |
| Mehrauli-Badarpur Elevated Road | Rs 1,471.14 Crore | Approved |
| Shiv Murti Tunnel Project | Rs 3,500 Crore | Under Construction |
| AIIMS to Mahipalpur Elevated Road | Rs 5,000 Crore | Estimated |
| Central Integrated Plan | Rs 24,000 Crore | Long-term Plan |
The execution of these projects involves multiple agencies including the PWD, NHAI, and the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation for the Mehrauli-Badarpur stretch. The focus remains on providing a seamless experience for millions of daily commuters who spend hours in traffic jams. Once completed, these signal-free corridors will connect major hubs like the Airport, AIIMS, and neighboring NCR cities with much higher efficiency.
