Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari recently met with Delhi Lieutenant Governor V. K. Saxena and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta to review the progress of ongoing road infrastructure projects in the capital. The meeting, held on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, centered on National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) projects in Delhi, which are valued at ₹35,000 crore.
Chief Minister Gupta emphasized the significance of the "double-engine" government, referring to the BJP's governance at both the central and state levels, for Delhi's infrastructure development. She highlighted that the synergy between the central government and the local administration streamlines operations and accelerates urban development projects.
Several key initiatives were discussed during the meeting. Among them was the construction of a seven-kilometer underground tunnel connecting Shiv Murti to Nelson Mandela Road. Another significant project is the development of an elevated road stretching from INA to the Indira Gandhi International Airport. These projects aim to improve connectivity, reduce traffic congestion, and enhance the overall transportation infrastructure in Delhi.
In addition to these major projects, NHAI is also set to take charge of constructing a comprehensive drainage system along its roadways. This initiative addresses the persistent issue of waterlogging and aims to prevent disruptions caused by inadequate drainage during the monsoon season. The Public Works Department (PWD) will support NHAI in this endeavor, ensuring a coordinated approach to infrastructure development and maintenance.
Furthermore, the NHAI has approved road overbridge (RoB) and road underbridge (RuB) projects worth ₹150 crore for Delhi. These projects will further ease traffic flow and enhance connectivity across the city.
Chief Minister Gupta expressed her gratitude to the central government for its support, noting that projects worth ₹1.25 lakh crore have been sanctioned for Delhi in the past. She underscored that these investments have led to significant infrastructural advancements, improving the lives of Delhi residents and boosting the city's economic growth.
Nitin Gadkari has been actively involved ininitiatives to decongest Delhi roads. In September 2021, he mentioned that his ministry was working on 15 projects worth ₹53,000 crore to alleviate traffic congestion and pollution in Delhi. At that time, he noted that work was already in progress on 14 projects and a meeting was scheduled with Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to discuss another project. Gadkari also highlighted the impact of the Western and Eastern Peripheral Expressways, stating that they had diverted at least one lakh non-destined vehicles from Delhi roads, providing considerable relief from traffic congestion and pollution.
