NHAI Reopens Ghaziabad Traffic Cut After Adding Expressway Lane to Ease Congestion
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has officially reopened a crucial traffic cut near the merger point of the Delhi–Meerut Expressway and National Highway 9, close to IPEM College in Ghaziabad. This reopening follows the completion of work to add an extra lane on the Delhi–Dasna carriageway of the expressway, aimed at alleviating severe traffic bottlenecks that had developed at this junction.
Background of the Traffic Cut Closure and Congestion Issues
The traffic cut, originally created to provide access to the Crossings Republik residential area, was shut down in November last year due to persistent and worsening congestion. Officials explained that the exit, located at the 18.6-kilometre mark between Vijay Nagar and the ABES underpass, had become one of the expressway's worst choke points. High-speed traffic from both the Delhi–Meerut Expressway and NH-9 was being funnelled into a narrow opening, triggering daily tailbacks and significant delays for commuters.
An NHAI official stated on Tuesday that the cut was closed last year to allow space to be created at the merger point. "Earlier, there was only one carriageway at the exit. We have now added an extra lane, which will allow smoother movement on the expressway while restoring connectivity to Crossings Republik," the official said. This strategic move is expected to improve traffic flow and reduce accident risks that were previously flagged due to the narrow configuration.
Partial Completion and Temporary Adjustments on NH-9
However, the official clarified that the work is only partially complete at this stage. To create the additional lane at the exit, NHAI temporarily reduced the width of NH-9. "We have encroached on the four-lane NH-9 to carve out a 4.2-metre-wide lane for the merger. As a result, NH-9 has been left with three lanes instead of four," the official explained. The next phase of the project will focus on restoring the lost lane on NH-9, but this is expected to take additional time due to complexities involving underground utilities and an open drain that need to be shifted and covered properly.
Immediate Relief for Residents and Traffic Impact
Residents of Crossings Republik have reported immediate relief following the reopening of the traffic cut. Prabhakar Mishra, a local resident, shared his experience: "When the cut was closed, it took 35 to 40 minutes to reach home from Delhi. Now we can shift from the expressway to NH-9 smoothly and reach home in about 10 minutes using the ABES underpass." This significant reduction in travel time highlights the positive impact of the infrastructure improvements.
The access point was initially introduced in 2024 at the request of residents but quickly emerged as a major bottleneck. It was flagged as accident-prone because the narrow exit from the expressway allowed only one vehicle to pass at a time. Another resident described the chaotic scenes: "Traffic from NH-9 heading towards Ghaziabad merged at the same point, while queues quickly built up on the Meerut-bound side of the expressway. Drivers often switched lanes to bypass the jam, eventually clogging all lanes."
Collectively, the Delhi–Meerut Expressway and NH-9 handle nearly 4 lakh passenger car units (PCU) per day, with approximately 50,000 PCU on the expressway alone. The Delhi–Meerut Expressway is designed to offer a fast, signal-free commute between Sarai Kale Khan and Meerut, with limited and controlled access to NH-9. Officials emphasize that the remaining work at the junction is crucial to ensure that the access does not once again compromise traffic flow on either road, maintaining the expressway's efficiency and safety standards.
