NEW DELHI: Hours after being caught in a major traffic jam on the Delhi-Gurgaon stretch for nearly two hours, transport minister Nitin Gadkari has directed National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to prepare a work plan to make the entire stretch from Mother Teresa Crescent up to the starting point of Gurgaon expressway signal-free.

Sources said Gadkari was caught in traffic jam on the Rajokari flyover on NH-8 on Monday night when he was returning from a social function and it took him over two hours to reach Delhi. On Tuesday, he held a meeting with top NHAI officials and Delhi PWD Minister Satyendra Jain, during which he shared his harrowing experience.

TOI has learnt that the minister suggested to look into the option of whether a dedicated tunnel can be built connecting Sardar Patel Marg with NH-8 near Shiv Murti or to build an elevated corridor.

"He has asked us to complete the feasibility study in coordination with the Delhi government, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC). We will come out with solutions for all the congestion points including the crossings so that traffic can move seamlessly," a senior official said.

Jain told TOI that Gadkari has assured cooperation and all necessary steps to fix the congestion points in the national capital. Officials said while solutions including building underpass will be proposed in the report for non-stop movement of straight moving traffic. "He has also asked us to come out with the solutions to fix snarls and bad traffic condition at Mahipalpur crossing," the official said.

While talking to reporters outside Parliament, Gadkari said, "We are studying the traffic of Delhi and the report will come to me in 15 days. We will identify the black spots of Delhi and also inform the city government. We will jointly solve this problem. I assure you that within a year and a half, traffic jams in Delhi will be reduced by half. Delhi's pollution will also be reduced." Sources said Gadkari was upset since nothing has improved even after holding meetings on improving traffic flow with the Lt Governor, the CM and all seven MPs from the capital.

This is not the first time when Gadkari has talked about traffic jams. Earlier, he had pushed to widen the stretch between Delhi and Dasna to 14 lanes after getting stuck.

This is not the first time when Gadkari has openly talked about the traffic jam that he faces while traveling to airport. Earlier after bracing through long traffic jam on NH-24, Gadkari had pushed the proposal to widen the stretch between Delhi and Dasna to 14 lanes. "The stretch was handed over to Delhi government and there was a plan to have a multi-modal transit hub near Dhaula Kuan. With the Delhi government on board, we are trying to find a solution," said an official.

