Delhi's long-awaited Barapullah Phase-III elevated corridor is opening to the public today, September 29, marking the completion of a project that has remained under construction for years. The new corridor is expected to improve road connectivity between East and South Delhi and offer commuters a largely signal-free alternative to some of the city's busiest routes. The project links Mayur Vihar Phase-I with Sarai Kale Khan and connects with the existing Barapullah corridor. Once the network is integrated, commuters will have access to an elevated route of nearly 9 km.
What Is Barapullah Phase-III?
Barapullah Phase-III is a 3.5-km, four-lane elevated road built to create a direct connection between Mayur Vihar Phase-I and Sarai Kale Khan. The corridor is designed to reduce the number of traffic signals and junctions commuters encounter while travelling between eastern and southern parts of Delhi. It also provides onward connectivity towards areas such as AIIMS and South Delhi. The new stretch will merge with the existing Barapullah elevated road near Sarai Kale Khan, creating a longer continuous elevated corridor.
How Will the Route Help Delhi Commuters?
One of the biggest expected benefits is shorter travel time on key East DelhiSouth Delhi journeys. According to available project details, travel from the Mayur Vihar side towards AIIMS could potentially come down from around 3540 minutes to nearly 15 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. The corridor is particularly relevant for people travelling between Mayur Vihar, Sarai Kale Khan, Central Delhi and South Delhi. It is also expected to provide smoother movement for commuters travelling between parts of Delhi and the Noida side. However, actual time savings will depend on traffic volumes, entry and exit points, and conditions on connecting roads.
Nine Loops Designed to Manage Traffic
The project includes nine loops, which have been incorporated to distribute traffic across different entry and exit points. Instead of forcing vehicles through a limited number of major junctions, these connections are intended to provide smoother movement and reduce pressure at potential choke points. The corridor is therefore not simply a flyover between two locations; it is designed as part of a larger road network that connects with existing infrastructure.
A New Road Bridge Across the Yamuna
Another major component of Barapullah Phase-III is its crossing of the Yamuna. The project includes a bridge designed with large spans of around 125 metres. The design was intended to reduce the number of structures required within the river and floodplain area while allowing the waterway to remain relatively unobstructed. The bridge also makes the project an important addition to Delhi's road network across the Yamuna.
Project Cost Rose to ₹1,635 Crore
The Barapullah Phase-III project has taken considerably longer and cost more than originally planned. It was approved in 2014, construction began in 2015, and the original target was to complete the work by 2017. Several deadlines were subsequently missed. The project's initial estimated cost was around ₹1,260 crore. The revised cost has risen to approximately ₹1,635 crore, an increase of more than ₹370 crore.
Why Was the Project Delayed?
The corridor encountered multiple hurdles during construction. These included issues related to land acquisition, tree clearances and construction activities around the Yamuna. The COVID-19 pandemic also disrupted construction schedules. Even after several revised timelines, another completion deadline set for June 30 this year was missed before the September 29 opening date was announced. The prolonged delay also led to scrutiny over the project's rising cost and implementation. A case related to alleged irregularities was reported to have been registered by Delhi's Anti-Corruption Branch, with the allegations under investigation.
Facilities for Cyclists and Pedestrians
The new corridor is not limited to motor vehicles. Project plans also include dedicated facilities for cyclists and pedestrians, giving non-motorised road users designated spaces along the route. This is significant because large elevated road projects are generally focused primarily on vehicular movement. The inclusion of walking and cycling infrastructure adds another element to the corridor's overall mobility design.
What Commuters Should Expect
For daily commuters, the most important change will be the availability of a new elevated connection between Mayur Vihar Phase-I and Sarai Kale Khan. The corridor is expected to take some traffic away from existing surface roads and provide a faster option for selected journeys. At the same time, traffic conditions on approach roads will continue to influence the overall journey time. With Phase-III now operational, the Barapullah network becomes a much more extensive east-south Delhi connection. After years of construction and repeated deadline changes, commuters can finally begin using the new link as part of their daily travel routes.
