Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Barapullah Phase-III Opens, Commuters Face Three-Kilometre Traffic Jam
A new elevated road in Delhi was built to help cars travel faster between east and south Delhi.
Soon after it opened, many cars became stuck in a long traffic jam.
The line of cars from Mayur Vihar Phase-I toward Sarai Kale Khan was almost 3 kilometres long.
Some drivers said they spent 40 or 55 minutes on parts of the journey.
One driver said the car moved only 1 kilometre in 50 minutes.
Traffic officials said many people used the new road after hearing that it would reduce travel time.
They also said some drivers were directed there by Google Maps.
Officials plan to add more traffic control near places where lanes merge or vehicles leave the corridor.
Commuters reported a nearly 3-kilometre tailback from Mayur Vihar Phase-I toward Sarai Kale Khan.
Some motorists said journeys on the corridor took 40 to 55 minutes, while one moved just 1 kilometre in 50 minutes.
The Delhi Traffic Police ordered stronger regulation and deployment at critical merging and exit points.
The corridor connects Mayur Vihar Phase-I with Sarai Kale Khan and forms a signal-free route of about 9 kilometres toward AIIMS.
The ₹1,635-crore project was approved in 2014, began construction in 2015, and faced repeated delays.
- Who
- Motorists using Barapullah Phase-III, Delhi Traffic Police, Public Works Department officials, and traffic police officials including Sandeep Gupta.
- What
- The newly opened elevated corridor experienced heavy congestion, including a nearly 3-kilometre tailback.
- When
- The congestion was reported on Wednesday, after the corridor was inaugurated on Tuesday; one report described the jam during morning peak hours between 9:30 am and 10 am.
- Where
- The corridor between Mayur Vihar Phase-I on Noida Link Road and Sarai Kale Khan on Ring Road in Delhi.
- Why
- Officials attributed the heavy flow partly to commuters switching to the new route after hearing about shorter travel times; lane merging and route guidance were also cited as concerns.
Commuters and experts
Authorities and project officials
Whether travel times improved
Commuters and experts
Commuters said the promised reduction in travel time was not visible and reported journeys lasting 40 to 55 minutes.
Authorities and project officials
The corridor was opened to reduce travel time between east and south Delhi, and officials said traffic patterns were still being assessed.
Cause of the congestion
Commuters and experts
Commuters and social-media users pointed to bottlenecks where multiple lanes merged into fewer lanes and questioned whether more flyovers solve traffic problems without end-to-end planning.
Authorities and project officials
A traffic official said thousands of commuters shifted from routes including NH-24 and the Delhi-Noida Direct Flyway, while Sandeep Gupta said Google Maps directed travelers to the corridor without showing the congestion.
Impact on surrounding roads
Commuters and experts
Experts had warned before the opening that the flyover could add congestion near Sarai Kale Khan.
Authorities and project officials
The corridor was intended to provide an alternative to the Delhi-Noida Direct Flyway and ease traffic on the DND and Akshardham stretches.
- Reported tailback
- Nearly 3 kilometres from Mayur Vihar Phase-I toward Sarai Kale Khan
- Reported delays
- About 40 minutes for one commuter and 55 minutes to reach the flyover’s first intersection
- Other reported delay
- One commuter said it took 50 minutes to travel 1 kilometre
- Project cost
- Approximately ₹1,635 crore
- Corridor route
- Mayur Vihar Phase-I to Sarai Kale Khan, merging with the existing Barapullah network toward AIIMS
- Signal-free stretch
- About 9 kilometres to the AIIMS roundabout
- Traffic response
- Police ordered increased regulation and stronger deployment at merging and exit points
- Project timeline
- Approved in 2014; construction began in 2015; originally targeted for completion in 2017
