Delhi's Internal Roads Set for Major Overhaul with Rs 974 Crore Funding
After years of neglect, the internal roads across Delhi under the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) are poised for a significant transformation. With the Delhi government approving funds for reconstruction and strengthening, the civic body has formulated a comprehensive plan to upgrade nearly 1,300 kilometers of stretches across its 12 zones in the 2026–27 period.
Funding and Tender Process Initiated
In its plan submitted to the Delhi government in February, the MCD disclosed that Rs 974 crore has been allocated under the MP Local Area Development (MPLAD) and MLA Local Area Development (MLALAD) schemes. This substantial funding will cover 716 kilometers of internal roads, for which the tendering process has already commenced. To complete the remaining 584 kilometers of work, the corporation requires an additional Rs 905 crore. Officials confirmed that with the approval now in place, instructions have been issued to initiate the tendering process for the remaining stretch as well.
Focus on Outer Delhi Areas
The bulk of the upcoming work will be concentrated in outer Delhi, with 349 kilometers identified in the Najafgarh zone and 170 kilometers in the Narela zone. An official explained, "We are covering areas based on repeated requests from residents and surveys conducted by our staff. While roads in prominent areas often receive attention through various schemes, the outskirts remain neglected, which is why we are prioritizing them."
In the Najafgarh zone, the identified stretches include roads in:
- Akshardham Apartments (Sector 19)
- The mini market in Sector 6
- Dwarka Sectors 3 and 10
- Kakrola, Surakhpur Road, Mitraon Phirni Road, Gaushala Road
- Raj Nagar I, Palam Village, Sadh Nagar, Chhawla, and Ambrahi Village
In the Narela zone, roads in Rohini Sectors 22 and 24, Begumpur, and adjoining areas will be taken up.
Additional Zones and Projects
In the South Zone, tenders are being floated for works in Hauz Khas, Green Park, the road outside the MCD school in Mohammadpur Village, the CPWD colony in Vasant Vihar, and stretches in Basant Gaon and Humayunpur Village. Additional roads will be strengthened using fresh allocations from the Delhi government.
In the Central Zone, funds have been cleared for works in:
- Tughlakabad Extension
- Konark Apartments and Gomti Apartments in Govindpuri
- A and B blocks of Kalkaji, Harkesh Nagar, Nehru Nagar, Bhogal
- Defence Colony, Sanwal Nagar, Jangpura, Siddhartha Nagar
- Hari Nagar Ashram, Dayanand Colony (Lajpat Nagar 4), Amar Colony, and East of Kailash
Background and Project Scope
According to a report submitted by the MCD to the Centre in December last year, 1,503 kilometers of the city's 6,127.8-kilometer internal road network (up to 18 meters wide) required redevelopment. The project was estimated to cost around Rs 2,000 crore, with funds sought from the Delhi government under various schemes. The civic body had proposed completing 1,000 kilometers in 2026 and the remaining 503 kilometers in 2027.
On February 17, the Delhi government announced significant financial assistance to the MCD to improve infrastructure and curb pollution. Proposals worth Rs 1,330 crore were prepared for 2026–27 to construct, repair, and pave about 1,000 kilometers of roads. The Delhi government directed that the major works be completed by September 30 to help reduce dust pollution ahead of winter. An official noted, "Work has already picked up pace on projects for which funds have been released."
This ambitious initiative marks a critical step towards enhancing urban mobility and addressing long-standing infrastructure gaps in Delhi's road network.
