New Delhi – In a bid to untangle the capital’s chronic gridlock, the Delhi administration has unveiled a comprehensive master plan for a third Ring Road that will run alongside the current Inner and Outer Ring Roads. A dedicated allocation of ₹10 crore in the 2026‑27 budget will fund the feasibility study for this ambitious venture.

Project Scope and Phasing

The Public Works Department (PWD) has compiled a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for an elevated, 55‑kilometre corridor. Execution is envisioned in six distinct phases, each designed to forge a swift, uninterrupted link between Delhi’s northern and southern sectors.

Key Segments in the Initial Phase

  • Stretch from Mukarba Chowk to Ashram
  • Priority corridors:
    • 9.5 km segment from Azadpur Flyover to ISBT Hanuman Mandir
    • 2.5 km stretch from Chandgi Ram Akhara to Majnu Ka Tila
    • 11.5 km link from ISBT to DND Flyover

Addressing Critical Bottlenecks

Working closely with traffic police, the PWD has pinpointed ten major choke points across the city, including the Ring Road, Mathura Road, Aurobindo Marg, Mehrauli‑Mahipalpur Road, and Rani Jhansi Road. Officials stress that merely adding flyovers will not resolve the congestion dilemma, especially when more than 250,000 vehicles crowd the Ring Road during peak periods.

Financial Commitment

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced a budget of ₹5,921 crore for the PWD on 24 March 2026, marking a 54 percent rise over the prior year’s allocation of ₹3,843 crore. The Transport Department has also been earmarked ₹8,374 crore for related initiatives.

Project Highlights

  • Total length: 55 km
  • Alignment: Mukarba Chowk → Ashram (via DND)
  • Estimated cost: roughly ₹7,000 crore
  • DPR consultant: AECOM India
  • Construction model: Six phases
  • Projected benefit: North‑to‑South travel time cut to around 30 minutes

Anticipated Challenges

While the plan enjoys strong political backing, several hurdles remain. Land acquisition and tree removal are expected to consume about two years. Moreover, relocating utilities beneath the existing Ring Road while erecting the elevated deck could pose significant logistical difficulties.

Although proposals for a parallel Ring Road have surfaced three times in the last decade, none have advanced beyond the planning stage. This fresh master plan is positioned to finally deliver meaningful relief from Delhi’s traffic woes.