To address chronic traffic congestion on Sardar Patel Marg, a major arterial route leading towards the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, authorities have proposed developing either a 5.3-kilometre elevated road or a tunnel between Talkatora Stadium and Dhaula Kuan as part of efforts to ease travel delays and improve commuter flow.
The Sardar Patel Marg corridor, which traverses the diplomatic enclave of Chanakyapuri and connects central parts of the city with the airport, frequently experiences heavy congestion, particularly during peak hours. Traffic bottlenecks along this stretch often add significant travel time in some cases more than 20-30 minutes for vehicles moving to and from the airport.
Earlier proposals to widen the route were shelved due to concerns over impact on the Central Ridge green belt, leading planners to explore alternative solutions that would avoid ecological disruption. The current proposal of either an elevated road or a tunnel aims to provide additional capacity for uninterrupted traffic flow while preserving the ridge’s greenery.
Under the plan, the elevated road option would involve constructing a raised carriageway above the existing Sardar Patel Marg, providing an exclusive high-speed bypass for through traffic. Alternatively, the tunnel option would allow vehicles to travel below ground, bypassing surface congestion and reducing travel time significantly. Planners estimate that either option could cut travel time along this corridor from around 40 minutes to approximately 10 minutes, offering relief for daily commuters and airport-bound traffic alike.
The proposal has been shared with various engineering and planning agencies, including the Public Works Department (PWD) and technical committees, for feasibility assessments and further refinement. Coordination with local municipal bodies is also being pursued to ensure alignment with broader urban mobility goals.
Improving traffic flow on Sardar Patel Marg is seen as a priority given its importance as a conduit for airport traffic, diplomatic missions, commercial centres and residential areas. Enhancing this connectivity is expected to ease pressure on parallel routes such as Vande Mataram Marg and provide a more reliable link between central Delhi and the IGI Airport.
