Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has committed to eliminating pollution in Delhi within the next five years. He has revealed an investment of ₹12,500 crore aimed at enhancing the transport infrastructure of the national capital and mitigating pollution levels in the near future. Since November, Delhi has experienced elevated pollution levels, with the air quality index (AQI) consistently falling within the very poor category. To address this issue, a ban on BS 3 petrol and BS 4 diesel vehicles has been enforced twice in the past two months, among other initiatives.

Currently, Delhi is facing high pollution levels once again, with the AQI reaching approximately 350 points. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) may reinstate restrictions under its Graded Response Action Plan Stage 3, which would involve the reintroduction of the vehicle ban for BS 3 petrol and BS 4 diesel cars. Vehicular emissions are regarded as a significant contributor to pollution in the city.

Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, has announced a ₹12,500 crore investment to enhance Delhi's transport network and alleviate both pollution and congestion in the city. Additionally, he has introduced a CRIF fund of ₹1,200 crore for the national capital.

Gadkari elaborated on the initiatives that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) will undertake to combat pollution in Delhi. He stated, “Delhi is significantly affected by air pollution and traffic congestion. Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of Road Construction has initiated and executed numerous projects aimed at liberating Delhi from pollution and easing congestion." He emphasized that new road projects will alleviate the influx of vehicles into Delhi.

Furthermore, Gadkari advocated for the use of cleaner fuels to diminish pollution levels in the city. He remarked, “Our government has introduced electric buses, cars, and scooters, as fossil fuels account for 40 percent of Delhi's pollution. We have also promoted CNG vehicles, and we are determined to rid Delhi of pollution within five years."

New road network in Delhi to help decongest city

The Centre has successfully constructed the Dwarka Expressway to alleviate traffic congestion in the vicinity of the Indira Gandhi International Airport. As part of the Urban Extension Road (UER) initiative, the ministry led by Gadkari is in the process of finalizing phase 2, which will provide connectivity to the Delhi-Katra Expressway through the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal Expressway, also known as the Western Peripheral Expressway. These road infrastructures are designed to facilitate direct access for vehicles from Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab to the airport and the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. Additionally, the new road network will ensure direct connectivity to the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, thereby aiding in the decongestion of the national capital.

Gadkari further announced plans for a 5-kilometer tunnel aimed at eliminating the daily traffic jams experienced in the Mahipalpur and Rangpuri areas. This tunnel, which will be constructed at a cost of ₹3,500 crore, will link Shiv Murti and Nelson Mandela Marg in Vasant Kunj.

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