New Delhi, July 7, 2025 – The Public Works Department (PWD) of Delhi is all set to resume work on the final pending underpass of the Pragati Maidan Integrated Transit Corridor once the Centre grants approval. The last phase of the corridor — Underpass-5, connecting Bhairon Marg to Ring Road — is currently awaiting the Union Government’s nod, after which construction is scheduled to begin immediately post-monsoon.
Confirming the development, Delhi PWD Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh stated:
“We’ve completed all technical reviews and submitted the proposal for final approval to the Centre. As soon as we receive the go-ahead, we will resume work after the monsoon. This last underpass is vital for decongesting traffic around Pragati Maidan, and we are fully committed to completing it at the earliest.”
Corridor Nearing Completion — Only One Underpass Remains
The Pragati Maidan Integrated Transit Corridor, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2022, was designed to ease traffic congestion on arterial roads like Ring Road, Mathura Road, and Bhairon Marg, and improve access to the Pragati Maidan exhibition complex. It comprises a main tunnel and six underpasses, of which five are already operational. The only work remaining is on Underpass-5, which has a total length of 110 metres, out of which only 28 metres are pending.
This underpass includes:
•A two-lane box (already completed) that carries traffic from ITO/Ring Road to Bhairon Marg
•A three-lane box (revised to two lanes) that will carry traffic from Bhairon Marg to Ring Road
Technical Hurdles and Revised Strategy
Construction was halted in 2023 after the precast concrete boxes, pushed beneath an active railway line using the box-pushing method, sank due to flooding caused by the nearby Yamuna River. The engineering challenges, combined with the sensitivity of working under live railway lines, demanded expert intervention.
“We consulted top institutions like IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, and CBRI to find a viable and safe solution. Based on their recommendations, we have proposed a switch to the cast-in-situ construction method, which avoids disturbing the railway tracks and minimizes ground risks,” said PWD Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh.
Under this revised method:
•The existing sunken boxes will not be corrected
•The width will reduce from 11.5 metres to 6.25 metres
•The height will reduce from 5.5 metres to 3.9 metres
This means the underpass will now be restricted to light motor vehicles only, and will operate as a two-lane corridor instead of the originally planned three lanes.
Awaiting Final Clearance from Centre
A detailed proposal, including expert recommendations and revised engineering designs, was submitted to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) last month. The matter is currently under review.
“We are hopeful that the Centre will grant approval soon. All groundwork has been completed from our side — the design is safe, the method is sound, and the urgency is evident given the daily traffic chaos in the area,” said the Minister.
Once approved, PWD expects to resume work immediately after the monsoon, with a targeted completion time of 8 months.
Traffic Relief in Sight
Currently, due to the incomplete underpass, traffic is being managed with temporary diversions and barricading, leading to severe congestion near Ring Road, Bhairon Marg, and Sarai Kale Khan. Once completed, this stretch will provide a dedicated, uninterrupted flow of traffic in both directions.
“Our objective is simple — to deliver world-class infrastructure while ensuring safety and long-term durability. We are ready to move as soon as the approval arrives,” emphasized Parvesh Sahib Singh.
To prevent misuse, the department will install proper signage to restrict heavy vehicles from entering the downsized underpass.
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