Highway – Delhi Seeks National Highway Status for Mandi Road to Improve NCR Connectivity
Highway – The Delhi government has formally urged the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to designate South Delhi’s Mandi Road as a National Highway, a move aimed at strengthening regional transport links and improving traffic movement across the National Capital Region.
The Delhi government has proposed that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) transfer the responsibility for developing and maintaining the 8.8-kilometre Mandi Road to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The request has been made with the objective of upgrading a key transport corridor that connects Delhi with the neighbouring cities of Gurugram and Faridabad while reducing congestion on one of South Delhi’s busiest stretches.
Proposal Sent to Union Government
In a letter addressed to Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta highlighted the strategic importance of Mandi Road within the Delhi-NCR road network. She noted that the corridor links Mehrauli-Gurugram Road (NH-148A) near Chhatarpur Metro Station to the Gurugram-Faridabad Road at the Delhi-Haryana border, making it a significant route for both local and inter-state traffic.
According to the state government, the road serves thousands of commuters every day and acts as an important connection between Delhi and two of the region’s major commercial centres. With increasing vehicle movement over the years, officials believe the route now requires infrastructure upgrades that could be more effectively handled under the National Highways Authority.
Focus on Better Regional Connectivity
If the proposal receives approval from the Centre, Mandi Road would become part of the National Highway network. Officials expect the change to facilitate road widening, improve traffic management, and enhance connectivity among Delhi, Gurugram, and Faridabad.
The government believes that improved infrastructure along this corridor would shorten travel times, support smoother movement of goods and passengers, and help distribute traffic more efficiently across South Delhi. The project is also expected to benefit commuters who regularly travel between Delhi and Haryana for work and business.
Earlier Technical Recommendation Supports Development
Chief Minister Gupta also referred to the recommendations made during the 68th meeting of the Governing Body of the Unified Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure (Planning & Engineering) Centre, commonly known as UTTIPEC, held on September 27, 2023.
During that meeting, the planning body reportedly acknowledged the growing importance of Mandi Road and supported its expansion and overall development. The state government has argued that the corridor’s direct connection with NH-148A, coupled with rising traffic volumes, makes it well suited for inclusion under NHAI’s jurisdiction.
Expected Benefits for Commuters and Economy
The Delhi government has stated that transferring the project to NHAI would help accelerate infrastructure improvements while ensuring better long-term maintenance standards. Authorities expect the upgraded road to provide a more reliable travel experience for daily commuters and commercial vehicles alike.
Officials also believe the proposal aligns with broader efforts to strengthen transport infrastructure across Delhi-NCR. Better road connectivity between Delhi, Gurugram, and Faridabad is expected to support economic activity, improve logistics efficiency, and accommodate increasing traffic demand in one of the country’s fastest-growing urban regions.
The Chief Minister further said that coordination between the governments at the Centre and in Delhi provides an opportunity to advance large-scale infrastructure initiatives that can deliver long-term benefits to residents and businesses across the National Capital Region.