Can flyovers solve Delhi’s congestion problem? News Air Insight

Delhi currently has 102 flyovers aimed at streamlining its road network, and the city isn’t slowing down. The Public Works Department (PWD) has announced plans for at least nine more elevated corridors, including a third ring road, a second span at Savitri Cinema, one near Peeragarhi, and others at Andheria Mor, IGI Terminal 1, and ITO. While these projects are intended to reduce congestion, their actual impact will only be seen once they are operational, reported TOI’s Ishita Jairath.

Do flyovers really ease traffic?

Previous projects built with the same goal often tell a different story on the ground. While junctions like Ashram Chowk, which saw elevated roads, may have experienced some improvement, experts caution that congestion can simply shift to other areas.

During peak hours, particularly around 6 pm, most flyovers are packed with bumper-to-bumper traffic. At Chirag Dilli, vehicles crawl forward while motorbikes weave through narrow gaps. At Savitri Cinema, queues stretch back to nearby junctions. Traffic snarls are also common at Khel Gaon, IIT, Panchsheel, and along flyovers connecting Punjabi Bagh and Rajouri Garden, Bhalswa, Kalkaji, Sarita Vihar, and Geeta Colony.

The scenes are often familiar — vehicles get stuck on flyovers while trying to enter or exit, pause at nearby signals, or move smoothly only to halt at the next junction or U-turn. In several areas, even with service roads available, drivers stick to the flyover lanes in the hope of moving faster. Similar congestion is commonly seen near Sarai Kale Khan.

IIT-Delhi’s Prof Geetam Tiwari told TOI that when a new flyover is built, it primarily provides more space for private vehicles — not buses or public transport. Initially, traffic may move a little faster, but soon more cars appear, and congestion returns. This cycle repeats itself in almost every city.

Echoing her concern, CRRI scientist Vel Murugan told TOI, “No study has shown that flyovers actually reduce congestion. At best, they shift traffic from one point to another. Simply elevating a junction will never solve the problem.”

What are commuters saying?

Several commuters TOI spoke to expressed mixed views. For instance, Neeraj, who provides driving services in the city, said, “After the new flyover opened at Ashram Chowk, the journey has become very smooth. It used to be a nightmare earlier. However, now, there is a problem near the flyover at Sarai Kale Khan.”Karan Aggarwal, a resident of East of Kailash, said, “Even flyovers are a mess sometimes. I get stuck on the Chirag Dilli flyover before Savitri Cinema every working day. The Defence Colony flyover before the CGO Complex is already busy, and now there’s another flyover proposed at Savitri. Let’s see what happens. The traffic police have made it compulsory to take a right turn; you can’t go straight under the flyover anymore. However, we are very happy with the new flyover at the ashram.”

What is the solution?

The long-term solution, experts say, is not just to move cars, but to move people efficiently. Prof Tiwari suggested giving public transport — especially buses — right of way, reserving lanes during peak hours to ensure faster, more reliable service. “Public transport should be upgraded in such a way that all sections of society use them, just like it happens abroad. Properly implemented systems can also work, while safer, convenient options for walking and cycling reduce reliance on cars for short trips. Simply expanding roads invites more vehicles, filling the extra space and bringing congestion back — a short-term fix that does not address the underlying problem,” she said.

She added, “It would be better to see authorities invest in public transport and promote non-motorised movement. For the cost of just 1km of elevated road, the city could build 20km of world-class bus lanes with bicycle and pedestrian tracks, or add 90 new e-buses along with charging infrastructure.”

Emphasising on long-term planning and strategy, a PWD official told TOI, “In a city like Delhi, rising population, growing traffic and increasing pollution are our biggest challenges. That is why every project of PWD will now be planned not just for the present, but with a long-term and holistic vision. We have already initiated the process of preparing the DPR for an elevated corridor over Ring Road, and similar comprehensive planning is being done for critical routes like the 100 Foota Road. Our objective is not merely to build roads, but to create a sustainable, safe and pollution-free Delhi for future generations.”