Delhi’s New Expressways Promise Faster, Easier Travel for Commuters and Tourists

New Delhi is gearing up for a major transformation in its road infrastructure as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate two landmark projects on Sunday – the 76-km Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II) and the 29-km Dwarka Expressway. Together, these projects mark a crucial step in easing congestion across the capital, reducing travel time, and enhancing connectivity for both daily commuters and long-distance travelers.

For those frequently navigating the city’s chaotic traffic, the new roads will be a much-needed relief. Designed as Delhi’s third Ring Road, UER-II is expected to divert heavy traffic from the already overloaded arterial routes, including NH-48, NH-44, the Barapullah elevated corridor, and the existing Ring Road. Once operational, travelers from western Delhi and NCR suburbs will experience smoother and faster journeys, especially towards key destinations like IGI Airport.

How UER-II Will Benefit Travelers

Spanning 75.71 km and developed in five packages at a cost of ₹6,445 crore, UER-II connects Mahipalpur near IGI Airport with Alipur in North Delhi, linking directly with NH-44. Of this, 54.21 km lies in Delhi and 21.50 km in Haryana.
For travelers heading to Chandigarh, Punjab, or Jammu & Kashmir, the new route will provide a direct, congestion-free alternative, bypassing the bottlenecks of Dhaula Kuan and Delhi’s busy ring roads. Residents of Gurugram, west, and south Delhi can also look forward to quicker connectivity to the northern highways.

Dwarka Expressway: A Direct Gateway to IGI Airport

The second highlight is the Dwarka Expressway, where packages 3 and 4 (covering 10.1 km in Delhi) will now be operational. The centerpiece of this project is a 5.1 km tunnel directly linking the expressway to IGI Airport, offering an unparalleled advantage for both domestic and international travelers. Whether flying out for business or leisure, passengers from Gurugram and Delhi’s western suburbs will now enjoy a hassle-free, faster commute to the airport.
Notably, packages 1 and 2 of the Haryana section, covering 29 km between Mahipalpur and Kherki Daula, were already inaugurated in March 2024, strengthening Delhi-Gurugram connectivity further.

Future Travel Opportunities

Looking ahead, UER-II is set to become a vital hub for long-distance travelers. The road will soon be connected to the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, providing faster routes to Uttarakhand. Additionally, a newly approved 65-km highway from Tronica City to the FNG Expressway will connect five major NCR expressways – Delhi-Dehradun, Delhi-Meerut, Noida-Greater Noida, DND-Faridabad, and Yamuna Expressways. This interlinking network will dramatically cut travel time and open seamless access to popular weekend getaways in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.

Sustainable Travel Infrastructure

Beyond easing travel, these projects are a step toward sustainable infrastructure. Approximately 10 lakh metric tons of inert material, recovered from biomining Delhi’s legacy landfill waste, has been utilized in building UER-II. This eco-friendly approach not only reduces environmental burden but also sets a benchmark for future infrastructure development.

A New Era of Travel Convenience for Delhi-NCR

For the traveling public, both projects promise more than just smoother commutes- they represent a new era of seamless, sustainable, and time-efficient travel across Delhi-NCR. Daily office-goers, business travellers, and tourists alike will benefit from reduced congestion, improved airport access, and faster routes to nearby states.

With UER-II and Dwarka Expressway soon to be fully functional, Delhi’s position as a major travel hub is set to strengthen further- making journeys easier, quicker, and more convenient for millions of people.

Also Read | Dwarka Expressway, UER-II opening: Noida to Delhi airport in record time