In a move aimed at easing chronic traffic congestion, the Delhi government has approved the redevelopment of a key 7.2-kilometre stretch of the Outer Ring Road between the Modi Mill Flyover and IIT Gate
near Savitri Cinema. The project is expected to significantly improve traffic flow for commuters travelling across South Delhi and towards Noida, Gurugram, and IGI Airport.
A Crucial Stretch Through South Delhi
The 7.2-kilometre section passes through some of South Delhi’s most densely populated and upscale neighbourhoods, including Greater Kailash, Malviya Nagar, CR Park, Chirag Delhi, Pamposh Enclave, West Enclave, and Kalkaji. At present, this road witnesses severe traffic congestion not only during peak hours but throughout the day.
Officials estimate that over two lakh vehicles use this stretch daily, causing persistent inconvenience for both local residents and long-distance commuters.
Why Widening The Road Is Not Possible
According to a senior PWD official, widening the road is not feasible as residential colonies exist on both sides of the carriageway. Moreover, major repairs and infrastructure upgrades have been pending for years.
Taking these limitations into account, authorities have drawn up an integrated redevelopment plan rather than a simple widening exercise.
Flyover Extensions And New ‘Half Flyovers’
As reported by The Indian Express, the plan proposes extending the existing Modi Mill Flyover up to the Kalkaji Temple Flyover. In addition, two ‘half flyovers’ are planned, one at the Kalkaji Temple intersection and another at the Savitri Cinema junction. These are designed to distribute traffic more evenly and prevent bottlenecks at key crossings.
The estimated cost of the flyover extension and construction of the half flyovers is around Rs 371.75 crore.
Long Delay Finally Ends
The project had received in-principle approval from UTTIPEC as far back as 2017, but financial clearance remained stalled for years. Last month, the proposal finally received formal approval during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.
With this, the extension of the Modi Mill Flyover up to IIT Gate has officially been cleared.
Who Will Benefit From The Project
Officials say the redevelopment will directly benefit residents of several South Delhi localities, including Greater Kailash, Chirag Delhi, Hauz Khas, Safdarjung, West Enclave, Kalkaji, and East of Kailash.
Daily commuting is expected to become far smoother, while connectivity between Noida, Faridabad, Badarpur, Gurugram, and IGI Airport will also improve significantly.
Existing Bottlenecks Despite Flyovers
Although elevated corridors already exist at Games Village, Savitri Cinema, Chirag Delhi, Kalkaji, Modi Mill (Okhla), and IIT, vehicles are still forced to stop at eight traffic signals along this stretch. These signals slow down traffic and remain a major cause of congestion.
When the road was originally constructed, traffic volumes were far lower, but vehicle density has now nearly tripled, making redevelopment unavoidable.
Addressing One-Sided Traffic Flow Issues
Officials pointed out that while the flyovers at Kalkaji and Savitri Cinema ease traffic moving towards IIT, vehicles travelling from IIT face serious difficulties due to the absence of parallel flyovers. The proposed half flyovers are intended to resolve this imbalance.
Traffic studies have also highlighted the urgent need to increase capacity at Maa Anandmayi Marg, Captain Gaur Marg, and the Savitri Cinema intersection.
Aiming For Smoother, Safer Travel
The primary objective of the project is to ensure safe and uninterrupted traffic flow, reduce congestion, and save both time and fuel for commuters. If executed on schedule, this stretch of the Outer Ring Road could emerge as one of Delhi’s smoothest and most efficient traffic corridors.
