Delhi plans 61-km Najafgarh drain corridor to ease traffic congestion across city

The Delhi government plans to hire a private consultant for a proposed elevated corridor along the Najafgarh drain to ease traffic congestion, officials said on Friday. The project, announced in February this year, involves an approximately 61-kilometre corridor and is intended to improve movement on major roads across the city.The Public Works Department plans to appoint the consultant to carry out a feasibility study and prepare a project plan before work begins. Officials said the corridor is expected to reduce travel time, fuel consumption and vehicular emissions, while also improving links with key roads."The stretch is heavily congested due to a mix of slow-moving vehicles and cross movements during peak and non-peak hours, causing heavy traffic. We plan to hire a consultant to conduct a feasibility study before the project starts," a PWD official said.Under the plan, roads will be developed from Chhawla to Basaidarapur along both sides of the drain over a length of 27.415 kilometres, taking the total to 54.83 kilometres across both banks. In addition, a 5.94-kilometre two-lane road will be built on the left bank from Jhatikra Bridge to Chhawla Bridge."The primary objective of the project is to reduce congestion on major roads and cut travel time and fuel consumption, and lower vehicular emissions. The corridor will provide inter-connectivity with major roads including Outer Ring Road, Inner Ring Road, Shivaji Marg, Pankha Road, UER-II (connecting to NH-9 Rohtak Road), Najafgarh Road and other key routes," the official said, adding that the total cost of the project is estimated at Rs 454 crore. The project plan says a paved road of about 61 kilometres, with a width of 7 metres, will be built along the Najafgarh drain. Separate tracks for walking, jogging and cycling will also be developed. A new bridge will be constructed near the Dwarka Metro Depot to help smoother movement."Landscaping and tree plantation will be undertaken along the corridor. Where required, new boundary walls will be constructed and damaged walls repaired," the project plan said.Officials also said that at some junctions along the proposed corridor alignment, Delhi Metro rail corridors will be included in the study. Overall, the project is being planned as a multi-use corridor aimed at easing congestion and improving connectivity along the Najafgarh drain.- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Aug 28, 2026 20:34 IST