NEW DELHI | August 8, 2026
India Ring Road Project: Government Unveils ₹2 Lakh Crore Plan to Ease Traffic in 45 Major Cities
NEW DELHI — India Ring Road Project: The Central Government has prepared infrastructure projects worth nearly ₹2 lakh crore to reduce traffic congestion in 45 Indian cities with populations exceeding 500,000. The initiative includes the construction of new ring roads, bypasses, and highway widening projects, with work expected to begin during the current financial year after Cabinet approval.
The ambitious plan is part of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ broader strategy to improve urban mobility, reduce travel time, and strengthen road connectivity across rapidly growing cities.
Government Targets 83 Congested Cities
The government has identified 83 cities with populations above 500,000 for long-term traffic decongestion measures.
Under the program:
- Three cities have already completed major highway improvement works.
- Thirty-five cities have either received approval or are in various stages of approval for ring road or bypass projects.
- The current phase focuses on 45 priority cities, where major investments have been planned.
The projects aim to divert through traffic away from city centers, reducing congestion while improving freight movement and regional connectivity.
Uttar Pradesh to Receive ₹12,500 Crore for Three Cities
Three major cities in Uttar Pradesh—Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Aligarh—are among the beneficiaries of the new infrastructure package.
Aligarh
The government has proposed:
- Aligarh Ring Road
- Aligarh–Moradabad Highway Corridor
Estimated Cost: ₹1,450 crore
Prayagraj
The city is already witnessing construction under the first phase of its ring road project.
The government now plans to launch the second phase, with an estimated investment of:
₹6,000 crore
Varanasi
A new Ring Road Project has been proposed to improve connectivity and reduce urban traffic.
Estimated Cost: ₹5,000 crore
Tendering for all three projects is expected to begin after Cabinet approval.
Other Cities Included
Several other major cities will also receive new road infrastructure under the initiative.
Notable projects include:
- Dehradun Eastern Bypass and Ring Road
- Estimated Cost: ₹1,715 crore
- Chandigarh
- Upgrades at Old Airport Chowk
- Hallo Majra T-Point
- National Highway-5 Poultry Farm Chowk
- Estimated Cost: ₹350 crore
- Delhi
- Seven major road infrastructure projects
- Combined investment exceeding ₹16,000 crore
Objective: Faster Travel and Reduced Urban Congestion
According to the government’s plan, the new road network will:
- Reduce traffic congestion in major cities
- Improve freight and logistics efficiency
- Shorten travel times
- Enhance connectivity between national highways and urban centers
- Support economic growth through improved transport infrastructure
Officials believe the projects will significantly ease pressure on existing city roads by diverting long-distance traffic onto dedicated bypasses and ring roads.
Work Expected After Cabinet Approval
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is expected to seek Cabinet approval for the proposed projects during the current financial year.
Following approval, the government will initiate the tendering process, allowing construction work to begin in phases across the identified cities.
The large-scale infrastructure push aligns with India’s broader objective of expanding highway connectivity and modernizing transport networks to support rapid urbanization.
