Delhi-Gurgaon in 30 minutes? Nitin Gadkari's new plan to end Capital's traffic woes
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A major infrastructure revamp is on the cards to tackle Delhi's chronic traffic congestion, with Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari backing two transformative road projects. A new high-speed corridor between Delhi and Gurgaon is being proposed, potentially reducing commute time from over an hour to just 30 minutes, according to The Indian Express.This express link is expected to start near either Gyarah Murti or Talkatora Stadium and offer a smooth alternative to the overloaded NH-48 and MG Road. The plan is part of a larger strategy to decongest Central and Lutyens' Delhi, with the second major proposal being an elevated corridor or tunnel connecting the Delhi-Meerut Expressway (near Sarai Kale Khan) to the upcoming AIIMS-Mahipalpur Bypass.Both proposals were reviewed in a high-level meeting led by Gadkari and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. According to the report, Gadkari emphasized that the AIIMS-Mahipalpur corridor alone wouldn't be sufficient to resolve traffic snarls in Central Delhi, and urged the NHAI to evaluate both projects in depth.The AIIMS-Mahipalpur corridor is estimated to cost ₹5,000 crore and will stretch from AIIMS to Nelson Mandela Marg in Vasant Kunj. A 5-km tunnel is also being planned to link it with IGI Airport and Dwarka Expressway, offering an alternative to NH-48 and easing pressure on Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road and Ring Road.In parallel, bids have been invited for preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR). Earlier this month, PWD Minister Parvesh Verma also pushed for the rapid construction of an underpass and flyover at UER-II and the Gurgaon-Jaipur Highway intersection.The NHAI-led project aims to decongest West and Outer Delhi, especially busy areas like Shiv Murti Chowk, where traffic from Dwarka Expressway, Kapashera, and NH-48 converges. Once complete, these initiatives are expected to ease bottlenecks not just in Delhi but across the entire NCR region.
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Though much of the original empire lies dismantled, a leaner, more focused Anil Ambani Group is trying to chart a comeback—anchored in energy, infrastructure, and defence, yet still shadowed by its legacy of debt and regulatory scrutiny. Sukalp Sharma is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Indian Express and writes on a host of subjects and sectors, notably energy and aviation. He has over 13 years of experience in journalism with a body of work spanning areas like politics, development, equity markets, corporates, trade, and economic policy. He considers himself an above-average photographer, which goes well with his love for travel. ... Read More
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