Delhi Police to study making Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road and 24 other stretches signal-free
Delhi authorities are studying a proposal to convert 25 major road stretches, including Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road, into signal-free corridors to ease traffic congestion. The proposal, submitted in mid-June by the NGO Guru Hanuman Society of India, is currently under consideration by the Delhi Traffic Police to assess the feasibility of a U-turn-based traffic management system.
The initiative aims to improve travel times and reduce environmental impact. According to the proposal pitched by Atul Ranjit, national general secretary of the Guru Hanuman Society of India, the U-turn-based system could lower pollution levels, protect roadside trees from dust, and save commuters' time, fuel, and money.
Delhi Traffic Police is collaborating with the NGO to identify which of the 25 stretches can successfully transition to the signal-free model. Special CP (Traffic) Manish Kumar Agarwal stated that the department is committed to improving mobility through practical engineering interventions within existing infrastructure.
"Developing signal-free corridors, wherever feasible, is a key part of this strategy," Agarwal said. He added that the partnership aims to reduce congestion and enhance the overall experience for road users.
Among the 25 stretches proposed for the feasibility study is Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road, a critical link for commuters travelling between Delhi and Gurgaon. Other targeted areas include a dozen intersections in Dwarka, parts of Najafgarh Road, Rohtak Road, Patel Road, Mathura Road, and the Outer Ring Road covering areas like IIT Flyover and Nehru Place.
Joint CP (Traffic) Sanjay Tyagi confirmed that while work is already underway on several other signal-free corridors, such as Rajghat and Najafgarh Road, these 25 new stretches will undergo detailed feasibility studies. Tyagi noted that the model will be implemented wherever it is found suitable to improve traffic flow and reduce stoppages.
However, the proposal has met with some concern from local residents regarding pedestrian safety. Amit Aggarwal, a resident of Vasant Kunj, argued that removing traffic signals could restrict pedestrian movement and increase the risk of accidents, suggesting that synchronising existing signals would be a safer alternative than relying on foot overbridges.
