7km signal-free stretch in Delhi may be key to unlocking congestion

NEW DELHI: To tackle chronic congestion on Aurobindo Marg — one of south Delhi’s busiest corridors — Public Works Department (PWD) is planning to develop an integrated, signal-free transit stretch along it. The proposed 7-km-long project from INA to Mehrauli is also aimed at streamlining traffic flow between south Delhi, Gurgaon and Noida.The integrated transit corridor will include signal-free intersections, U-turns instead of red lights, flyovers, underpasses, parallel roads, better pedestrian facilities and will be integrated with Metro stations — all aimed at reducing traffic snarls and travel time. The plan is in response to increasing pressure on Aurobindo Marg, which is used by over two lakh vehicles daily. The road plays a crucial role in connecting several prominent areas, including Safdarjung, Lodhi Road, AIIMS, Barapullah, Ring Road and central parts of Delhi, while also serving as a key route for commuters heading towards Gurgaon and Noida.While traffic flow on the road is relatively smooth up to INA, congestion intensifies beyond that point. The merging of vehicles from Ring Road and the termination of the Barapullah Flyover near INA contribute to the bottleneck. Further ahead, AIIMS Gate No. 2 and Yusuf Sarai witness frequent slowdowns due to traffic signals, U-turns and heavy pedestrian activity, said a senior official.The situation is worsened by multiple factors, including roadside encroachments, on-street parking and the presence of commercial hubs and residential colonies along the corridor, the official added. Areas like Hauz Khas and Green Park see substantial footfall, further affecting vehicular movement.Also, repeated traffic signals at close intervals near Adhchini and Pramod Mahajan Marg lead to high traffic volumes converging at short intervals.“To address all these issues, we are working on a comprehensive plan that will eliminate signal interruptions and ensure seamless traffic flow along the stretch,” a senior PWD official said. The project is expected to include redesigning intersections, easing bottlenecks and possibly constructing a flyover starting near INA, which has been identified as a major chokepoint.The authorities are also considering building a parallel road near the Mehrauli end, particularly around Chhatarpur, to divert traffic and reduce the load on the main carriageway.In the internal meetings, urban planners called the project urgent, noting that traffic volumes are likely to increase further with upcoming infrastructure development, the official added. The expansion of metro connectivity under Phase IV is also expected to bring more commuters to the corridor, putting additional pressure on the already strained road network.The proposal is likely to be discussed in a cabinet meeting once its feasibility reports are in. Once the project receives necessary approvals, it is likely to be completed in around one and a half years, the official said.