Punjabi Bagh Flyover Set to Open Soon
The Punjabi Bagh flyover, which connects North Delhi to South Delhi, Gurugram, and other parts of the National Capital Region (NCR), is expected to open for traffic after December 20. Officials from the Public Works Department (PWD) have stated that the construction work on the flyover is nearly finished. However, due to a lack of permission from the Delhi High Court, they plan to open only two of the three lanes on one side for now. Once fully operational, this flyover is anticipated to create a signal-free stretch of approximately 18 kilometers on the Ring Road, extending from Dhaula Kuan to Azadpur.
Improving Traffic Flow in Punjabi Bagh
The newly constructed flyover, which spans about 1.3 kilometers between the ESI Metro Station and Punjabi Bagh Club Road, is part of a larger redevelopment initiative for the city’s corridors. Originally scheduled for completion by January 2024, the deadline has been pushed back several times, with the latest extension now set for December. The opening of this flyover will significantly ease traffic congestion in the Punjabi Bagh area, which has been plagued by jams, especially due to ongoing construction work on the Ring Road.
Environmental Benefits and Future Plans
Apart from easing traffic, the commissioning of the Punjabi Bagh flyover is expected to have positive environmental impacts as well. Officials have indicated that it could reduce carbon emissions by about 1.6 lakh tonnes each year and save around 18 lakh liters of fuel. The flyover project was part of a larger strategy initiated by the Delhi government in 2018, which aimed to tackle traffic issues across 77 identified corridors. The project, approved by the Unified Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure (UTTIPEC) in March 2021, was intended to alleviate congestion through the construction of flyovers and redesign of roads, but has faced delays along the way.
