New Delhi: In a move aimed at easing traffic congestion and improving air quality, the Delhi cabinet has approved payment of the govt’s pending share for the Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways.“The project suffered due to the previous govt’s lack of urgency and its political differences with the Centre. There were deliberate delays in clearing dues, which ultimately worked against Delhi’s interests,” said chief minister Rekha Gupta.The cabinet cleared a proposal by the Public Works Department to release the outstanding amount in a phased manner. As part of the plan, Rs 500 crore will be released in the financial year 2025–26 from revised budget estimates to the Union govt or the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The remaining Rs 3,203.3 crore will be paid in instalments in subsequent years, subject to budgetary provisions.The Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE) and Western Peripheral Expressway (WPE) together form a 270-km ‘smart ring road’ around Delhi. Each is about 135 km long with six lanes, designed to divert heavy and commercial vehicles that do not need to enter the city. Officials said this has reduced pressure on Delhi’s roads, limited the entry of diesel vehicles and contributed to lower pollution levels.The expressways have also eased congestion on key corridors such as Ring Road, Outer Ring Road and national highways including NH-44 and NH-48, leading to time and fuel savings for commuters. They connect major hubs in Haryana — Kundli, Manesar and Palwal — and Uttar Pradesh — Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddh Nagar and Baghpat — making them critical to logistics and trade in north India.Operational since 2018, the EPE and WPE are considered India’s first ‘smart and green’ expressways, with features such as solar power generation and drip irrigation for roadside plantations.“The decision will resolve long-pending inter-governmental financial issues and improve coordination with the Centre on future infrastructure projects,” Gupta said, adding that the expressways have helped cut travel time and improve air quality by keeping heavy vehicles out of the capital.
