New Delhi: In a major push to improve urban road infrastructure, the Delhi Government has approved a comprehensive road strengthening programme worth ₹657.9 crore that will upgrade more than 270 kilometres of key arterial roads across the capital. The projects, sanctioned by the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC), are expected to be completed by October 2026 and aim to improve road quality, commuter safety, and long-term maintenance standards.
The approved works will cover several high-traffic corridors across East, North, and South Delhi, benefitting lakhs of daily commuters. Major stretches identified for rehabilitation include Road No. 66 (Seelampur–Gokalpuri), Outer Ring Road, GT Road, BBM Road, Avtar Singh Marg, Pankha Road, Satguru Ram Singh Marg, Major Sudesh Marg, Nelson Mandela Marg, SSN Marg, Mandi Road, and the Barapullah Elevated Road (Phase I).
Under the financial allocation, ₹147.08 crore has been earmarked for strengthening 58.29 km of roads in the East Maintenance Zone, ₹247.31 crore for 104.42 km in the North Maintenance Zone, and ₹263.61 crore for 107.92 km in the South Maintenance Zone.
The engineering works will include cold milling of damaged pavement surfaces, laying of Dense Bituminous Macadam (DBM) and Bituminous Concrete (BC) layers, installation of new road markings, reflective signages, safety barriers, and kerb channel systems to improve drainage. These interventions are designed to enhance pavement durability, improve driving comfort, and extend the service life of the road network.
A notable feature of the programme is the introduction of a zone-wise composite tendering system, replacing the conventional road-by-road tender model. According to the government, this approach is expected to attract larger and more experienced contractors, enable the deployment of advanced construction equipment, and strengthen project monitoring and accountability.
The government has also introduced a five-year Defect Liability Period (DLP) for all contracts, making contractors responsible for post-construction maintenance. Any potholes or defects that emerge during this period must be repaired within 48 hours, ensuring greater accountability for construction quality.
To maintain construction quality and transparency, project execution will be digitally monitored through the GSDL/DPMG portal, where geo-tagged photographs will document every stage of construction. Independent quality audits will be carried out by the CSIR–Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) and the School of Planning and Architecture, providing third-party oversight of the works.
The road improvement programme has also been aligned with environmental objectives. All tenders have been prepared in accordance with Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) guidelines, making dust-control measures mandatory during construction. The initiative seeks not only to strengthen Delhi’s road infrastructure but also to reduce construction-related dust pollution and improve the city’s overall urban environment.
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