Ashram–Mukarba Corridor Selected for First Phase of Elevated Ring Road Plan.

The Delhi government has taken a key step toward addressing congestion on one of the capital’s most heavily used corridors by identifying a nearly 22-km stretch between Ashram and Mukarba Chowk as the most viable starting point for Phase I of the proposed 57.5-km elevated Ring Road project.

According to Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Parvesh Verma, the detailed project report (DPR) has recommended this section as the priority phase due to its relatively obstruction-free alignment. Officials said the stretch has fewer encroachments and simpler engineering requirements, which could enable faster execution with reduced disruption compared to more densely built-up areas.

An official noted that the segment allows construction to proceed with “minimal disruption and faster timelines,” making it a practical starting point for the larger elevated corridor initiative.

The project, referred to by the PWD as the “Urban Ring Expressway,” will run above Mahatma Gandhi Marg—commonly known as the Inner Ring Road—forming a key elevated loop intended to streamline cross-city movement across Delhi. Authorities expect the corridor to significantly reduce travel time along major routes once completed.

The elevated Ring Road project has been divided into multiple phases, covering key junctions such as Majnu Ka Tila, Salimgarh Fort, Moti Bagh, Rajouri Garden and Azadpur. The Ashram–Mukarba Chowk section has itself been further split into three segments: Mukarba Chowk to Metcalf House, Majnu Ka Tila to Salimgarh Fort, and Salimgarh Fort to the DND Flyway.

Officials, however, acknowledged several challenges in implementation, including integration with existing infrastructure such as a grade separator and the Red Line near Kashmere Gate. Careful engineering will be required to ensure seamless connectivity without disrupting current transport systems.

Heritage conservation is another sensitive issue, as the alignment passes close to protected monuments, including Salimgarh Fort, which falls under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Authorities have assured that all construction will comply strictly with ASI guidelines to safeguard historical structures.

The corridor also traverses densely populated neighbourhoods such as South Extension, Punjabi Bagh, Lajpat Nagar and Ashram, raising concerns about traffic diversions and disruptions during construction. Financial viability remains a key consideration as well, with the project estimated to cost between ₹5,500 crore and ₹8,000 crore, according to senior officials.

The Inner Ring Road, which begins at Shalimar Bagh and extends to Azadpur, was originally developed in the mid-20th century to ease cross-city traffic. However, rapid urban expansion and rising vehicle density have turned it into one of Delhi’s most congested corridors.

Planned when the city’s population was under three million, the Ring Road now serves a metropolitan region of over 30 million residents. What was once designed as a bypass has effectively become a semi-central arterial route, lined with commercial and residential hubs.

Over time, key intersections such as AIIMS, Moolchand, Dhaula Kuan, Ashram and ITO have evolved into major bottlenecks, where multiple arterial roads converge. While flyovers and underpasses have been constructed at several points, officials note that these measures have often shifted congestion rather than eliminating it, underscoring the need for large-scale infrastructure intervention.