On Sunday, August 17, 2025, Delhi witnessed the inauguration of two monumental highway projects—Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II) and the Delhi section of the Dwarka Expressway—heralded as transformative steps for the capital and its sprawling National Capital Region (NCR). The projects, together valued at nearly Rs 11,000 crore, were unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Rohini, Delhi, before a massive gathering that underscored both the scale and significance of these infrastructure feats.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, visiting the inauguration site a day prior, offered effusive thanks to the Prime Minister for what she described as an “investment in the future of Delhi.” Accompanied by senior officials and party leaders, Gupta reviewed final preparations for the event and stressed the far-reaching impact these projects would have. "UER-II is not just an infrastructure project… It is an investment in the future of Delhi. It will improve traffic flow, cut travel time drastically, and uplift the quality of life for lakhs of people living in Delhi and NCR," Gupta asserted, as reported by Indian Express.
Prime Minister Modi echoed this sentiment in a post on X, stating, "A boost to infrastructure in NCR, in line with our commitment to improve ‘Ease of Living.’ Across the country, we are continuously engaged in enhancing transportation facilities with the expansion of connectivity. In this direction, tomorrow at around 12:30 PM, I will have the privilege of inaugurating two major national highway projects. This will further streamline traffic in Delhi-NCR." (Times of India)
The two projects, the 10.1-kilometer Delhi stretch of the Dwarka Expressway and the Alipur–Dichaon Kalan segment of UER-II, are designed to tackle Delhi’s chronic traffic bottlenecks, ease pollution, and connect the city more seamlessly to its neighboring states and industrial hubs. The Dwarka Expressway’s Delhi section alone cost around Rs 5,360 crore, while UER-II’s new stretch, including spurs to Bahadurgarh and Sonipat, came in at approximately Rs 5,580 crore.
The Dwarka Expressway’s Delhi section is split into two packages: a 5.9 km segment from Shiv Murti intersection to Dwarka Sector-21 Road Under Bridge (RUB), and a 4.2 km stretch from there to the Delhi-Haryana border. This new corridor complements the 19 km Haryana section of the expressway, which PM Modi inaugurated in March 2024. The expressway is more than just a road—it’s a channel for multi-modal connectivity, linking the convention center Yashobhoomi, Delhi Metro’s Blue and Orange lines, the upcoming Bijwasan railway station, and the Dwarka cluster bus depot. According to OneIndia, these connections are expected to make commuting more efficient and provide a direct boost to public transport and logistics in the city.
UER-II, meanwhile, is being hailed as Delhi’s new “orbital highway.” It runs from National Highway-44 (Alipur) in the north to National Highway-48 (Mahipalpur) in the south, passing through Mundka, Bakkarwala, Najafgarh, and Dwarka. Dedicated link roads connect it to the industrial towns of Bahadurgarh and Sonipat, promising to accelerate the movement of goods and strengthen industrial connectivity throughout NCR. The corridor is also expected to play a critical role in reducing the load on Delhi’s Inner and Outer Ring Roads and major junctions such as Mukarba Chowk, Madhuban Chowk, Peeragarhi Chowk, Dhaula Kuan, and NH-9. As Gupta noted, "The pressure on Inner and Outer Ring Roads will be substantially reduced, while major junctions such as Mukarba Chowk, Madhuban Chowk, Peeragarhi Chowk, Dhaula Kuan and NH-9 will no longer face heavy congestion. This will be a huge relief for lakhs of daily commuters."
The anticipated impact on travel time is dramatic. According to several reports, including Times of India and Indian Express, the journey from Singhu Border to Indira Gandhi International Airport, which previously took up to two hours during peak traffic, is expected to shrink to just 40 minutes. North-to-south commutes across Delhi will become smoother, and the improved road network will make accessing cities like Chandigarh, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Jaipur, and even Mumbai faster and more convenient.
Environmental benefits are also front and center. Both projects are expected to curb vehicular emissions and reduce fuel consumption by shortening travel times and alleviating congestion. Gupta highlighted, "With smoother traffic flow and shorter travel time, fuel consumption will decrease significantly, contributing to lower emissions. The UER-II will directly aid in reducing air-pollution levels and improving the overall environment of the capital." The hope is that these changes will offer some respite from Delhi’s notorious air pollution, a persistent public health challenge for the city’s millions.
From an economic standpoint, the projects are poised to revitalize Delhi’s role as a commercial and industrial powerhouse. The direct connections to Bahadurgarh and Sonipat, both key industrial centers, are expected to streamline the movement of goods in and out of the capital, giving a much-needed boost to businesses and manufacturers. The Prime Minister’s Office emphasized that these initiatives are part of a broader vision for “world-class infrastructure, seamless urban mobility, and improved living standards.”
It’s not just about roads and concrete. The government’s road transport ministry currently has projects worth over Rs 50,000 crore underway to further decongest Delhi and enhance regional connectivity, with more in the pipeline, according to Times of India. These efforts underscore a long-term commitment to transforming Delhi’s urban landscape and maintaining its global economic standing.
At the inauguration rally in Rohini, PM Modi was expected to address the crowd and highlight how these projects reflect his government’s broader strategy for urban transformation. The Prime Minister’s Office described the twin projects as a step towards creating "world-class infrastructure for seamless mobility and improved living standards." As the city’s skyline continues to evolve, the completion of UER-II and the Dwarka Expressway stands as a testament to the possibilities of coordinated infrastructure investment.
For the lakhs of commuters who daily navigate Delhi’s traffic-clogged arteries, these new corridors offer the promise of shorter journeys, cleaner air, and a higher quality of life. The hope, as both state and national leaders have emphasized, is that this isn’t just a facelift for the city but a foundational shift—one that will ripple outwards, shaping the future of Delhi and the entire NCR for years to come.