Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday, 11 May announced that Northern Railway has granted in-principle approval for the widening of the existing Railway Over Bridge (ROB) on the Outer Ring Road at Haiderpur Badli, a move aimed at easing chronic traffic congestion at Mukarba Chowk in north Delhi. The Railways has also approved a proposed elevated loop connecting Shalimar Bagh to Sanjay Gandhi Transport Nagar, crossing over the railway tracks.

Key Approvals and What They Cover

The two approvals cover distinct but interconnected corridors in north-west Delhi. The first involves widening the existing ROB at Haiderpur Badli on the Outer Ring Road, one of the capital's most congested arterial stretches. The second is a new elevated loop linking Shalimar Bagh to Sanjay Gandhi Transport Nagar, which requires crossing active railway tracks — a technically complex proposition that had previously stalled progress.

Both approvals were issued following an in-principle No Objection Certificate (NOC) with the approval of the Divisional Railway Manager, after detailed technical scrutiny of drawings and proposals submitted by Delhi's Public Works Department (PWD).

Why These Corridors Matter

According to Chief Minister Gupta, both corridors have long been burdened by heavy traffic movement, with thousands of commuters and goods carriers passing through daily. Mukarba Chowk, the Outer Ring Road, and the Sanjay Gandhi Transport Nagar area are among Delhi's busiest transport nodes, serving as critical links between north-west residential zones and commercial hubs.

Once completed, the projects are expected to substantially reduce congestion and provide faster, safer, and smoother connectivity. Notably, this is part of a broader push by the Delhi government to systematically identify and address major traffic bottlenecks across the city.

Safety Conditions Imposed by Railways

The Railways has mandated that all construction work be carried out under prescribed safety standards and technical supervision to ensure that neither railway operations nor existing traffic movement are adversely affected during or after construction. Chief Minister Gupta said the Delhi government will comply with these conditions as work progresses.

Political Context: 'Double Engine' Government

Chief Minister Gupta expressed gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, framing the approvals as a product of coordination between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Centre and the Delhi government — a dynamic she described as the