Gridlock at Dhaula Kuan: Unravelling the Gurgaon Traffic Crisis
Will the Dhaula Kuan-Gurgaon commute ever get better? The ITS India Forum is stepping in with experts to find a solution.
March 24, 2025
A Daily Struggle for Commuters
Anyone who’s navigated the traffic between Dhaula Kuan and the Gurgaon-Delhi border knows the frustration. What should be a quick commute has turned into an agonizing daily battle for thousands. According to The Times of India, autorickshaw driver Satish dreads peak hours, while professionals like Siddhartha have relocated just to avoid the misery. The constant bottlenecks make this stretch a grueling test of patience and endurance.
Commuters routinely waste two to three hours a day in traffic. This not only cuts into productivity but also drives up fuel costs and significantly increases stress levels while worsening pollution. Despite numerous infrastructure projects over the years, congestion remains, revealing serious flaws in urban traffic planning.
What’s Behind the Chaos?
Experts and on-the-ground assessments point to several key factors contributing to the gridlock:
- Flawed Road Engineering – The notorious “scissor cuts” at Shankar Vihar, Hotel Lohia, and Shiv Murti create unpredictable bottlenecks. Vehicles cross paths unexpectedly, causing frequent braking and slowing traffic flow.
- Uncontrolled Merging Points – At Shankar Vihar, vehicles exiting and entering the highway share a narrow stretch, leading to major traffic jams. Similar issues arise at Hotel Lohia and Shiv Murti.
- Excessive Traffic Volume – With around 500,000 vehicles using this route daily, the roads simply weren’t designed to handle such a heavy load, leading to constant congestion.
- Multiple Entry Points Converging – The Dhaula Kuan interchange sees traffic from Karol Bagh, Sardar Patel Marg, and Outer Ring Road funneled into just three lanes, creating a choke point. Vehicles from Vasant Vihar and Rao Tula Ram Marg only add to the problem.
- Limited Infrastructure – Flyovers that should allow speeds of up to 70 km/h are reduced to a crawl at 20 km/h during peak hours due to congestion. This shows that the existing infrastructure is inadequate for the current traffic demands.
- Lack of Traffic Discipline – Lane cutting, improper overtaking, and unregulated heavy vehicle movement only escalate the chaos. Even with traffic personnel on site, controlling such a volume of vehicles remains a constant challenge.
Public Outrage and Government Response
Social media has become a platform for daily complaints from frustrated commuters. One commuter recently tweeted: “NH-48 is a nightmare! 60+ minute standstill every day. Where are the solutions?” The mounting frustration has finally gotten the attention of the government.
A high-level meeting led by Delhi Chief Secretary Dharmendra has designated the Dhaula Kuan-Gurgaon stretch for a pilot decongestion project. However, temporary measures such as increased police presence and better traffic management are unlikely to provide lasting relief.
ITS India Forum Takes Action
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the ITS India Forum has launched a comprehensive study to tackle the crisis. Partnering with IIT professors, town planners, and industry experts, the forum aims to develop sustainable solutions. The study will focus on:
- Redesigning Entry & Exit Points – The current “scissor-cut” system disrupts traffic flow. Creating dedicated lanes for exits and entries with proper separation could alleviate congestion.
- Alternative Routes – Identifying and developing parallel roads to divert traffic away from NH-48. Expanding roads like the Mahipalpur Bypass could help distribute traffic more effectively.
- Metro Connectivity – Exploring the feasibility of extending the Dwarka-Gurgaon-Dhaula Kuan metro line to ease dependence on road transport. A direct metro link could remove thousands of vehicles from the route daily.
- Elevated Carriageways – Constructing additional elevated roads to handle the excess traffic load. This would help separate local and highway traffic, improving movement.
- Smart Traffic Management – Implementing AI-powered traffic monitoring systems to optimize traffic flow. Intelligent signals could adapt to real-time congestion levels, easing bottlenecks.
- Promoting Public Transport & Carpooling – Encouraging bus rapid transit (BRT) lanes and incentivizing carpooling for office workers could reduce the number of vehicles on the road.
Economic and Environmental Impact
The traffic jams go beyond inconvenience—they’re a drain on the economy and environment:
- Fuel Wastage: Vehicles stuck in traffic burn more fuel, driving up costs for both commuters and businesses.
- Air Pollution: Prolonged idling results in high carbon emissions, worsening Delhi-NCR’s already critical air quality.
- Productivity Loss: Time lost in traffic leads to lower workplace efficiency and increased commuter fatigue.
Addressing these issues would not only improve commutes but also enhance the quality of life for millions in NCR.
The Road Ahead
While short-term fixes like stricter lane discipline, better signage, and more traffic monitoring can provide immediate relief, a long-term infrastructure overhaul is necessary. The ITS India Forum’s study will provide a roadmap for sustainable urban transport solutions, ensuring that the Dhaula Kuan-Gurgaon stretch is no longer a commuter’s nightmare.
The success of this initiative will depend on efficient collaboration between government bodies, urban planners, and traffic experts. Public cooperation, awareness campaigns, and effective implementation will be essential for these solutions to succeed.
As the government and experts work on a plan, one thing is clear: Inaction is no longer an option. The time for change is now.
Contributors:
Dr. Shiv Kumar – Director General, ITS India Forum
Jigyashu Agrawal – Business Analyst, ITS India Forum
