By Delhi is set to get a major traffic boost with the opening of the Barapullah Phase-3 elevated corridor, a 10-km signal-free route that is expected to reduce congestion between Mayur Vihar Phase-1 and AIIMS. The corridor is also projected to help lower vehicular pollution by reducing traffic delays, with estimates suggesting a reduction of around two tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every day.
The new link is expected to cut peak-hour travel time between South and East Delhi by around 20 to 25 minutes. The corridor, which took nearly nine years longer than originally planned, will be inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday, marking the completion of one of Delhi’s long-delayed road infrastructure projects.
Project Cost Rose to ₹1,635 Crore
The Barapullah Phase-3 project was initially estimated to cost around ₹1,200 crore. However, prolonged delays and construction-related challenges pushed the final cost to approximately ₹1,635.03 crore.
The project was first approved and laid down in 2014, when Rajnath Singh was the Union Home Minister, while construction began in April 2015. It was originally scheduled to be completed within 30 months. However, a series of land, environmental and construction-related issues pushed the completion date to September 2026.
The main corridor constructed for public use is around 3.5 km long. When its ramps and loops are included, the total length of the elevated structure extends to approximately 4.9 km.
Six-Lane Corridor With Cycling and Pedestrian Facilities
The elevated road has six lanes, with three lanes in each direction. Alongside the carriageway, the project also includes a dedicated cycling track and footpaths for pedestrians.
Once operational, the new stretch will create a signal-free corridor of nearly 10 km connecting Mayur Vihar Phase-1 and Noida towards the AIIMS side of central Delhi. The earlier two phases of the Barapullah project have already provided around 6.75 km of elevated connectivity.
The expanded network is expected to offer motorists an alternative to some of the city’s heavily used routes and improve traffic movement during peak hours.
Pressure Expected to Ease at Sarai Kale Khan
The first phase of the Barapullah project, connecting Sarai Kale Khan with the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium area, was completed in 2010 ahead of the Commonwealth Games during the Sheila Dikshit-led Delhi government.
With Phase-3 now nearing operation, authorities expect traffic pressure to ease on the DND Flyway, National Highway-9 and Ring Road. The Sarai Kale Khan junction, one of the important traffic points in the area, is also expected to see a reduction in congestion as vehicles get another route to move towards East and South Delhi.
Multiple Delays Affected Construction
The project faced several hurdles during its construction. Delays in acquiring land affected parts of the alignment, while the relocation of a high-capacity electricity transmission line running through the project area also took considerable time.
The Yamuna floods in July 2018 caused additional damage when the foundation of a pillar in the river’s main channel was affected. The damaged structure had to be removed and reconstructed, adding further time to the project.
Environmental clearances also contributed to delays. Permissions related to the removal and transplantation of trees took time, while construction restrictions imposed during periods of high air pollution affected the pace of work.
After years of delays and repeated construction challenges, the completion of Barapullah Phase-3 is expected to provide Delhi with an additional high-capacity route, reduce travel time and improve traffic flow between key parts of the city.
