RTR flyover repairs complete; South Delhi-Gurugram traffic to normalise by Monday

NEW DELHI: Emergency repairs on the Old Rao Tula Ram (RTR) flyover in South Delhi, necessitated by structural cracks, have triggered severe traffic bottlenecks stretching up to 18 kilometres into Gurugram, with congestion spilling onto the NH-48 and Dhaula Kuan stretch. The Public Works Department (PWD) has completed the repair work, and the flyover is expected to reopen by Monday following a mandatory curing period.

The carriageway connecting the IGI Airport and Gurugram to Vasant Vihar was shut on Wednesday after traffic personnel detected structural distress during a routine patrol [4, 5]. Deterioration of concrete, visible cracking, and exposure of reinforcement were observed in the gap slab section of the old RTR flyover, prompting the immediate closure to avert potential accidents. The diversion forced vehicles onto adjoining service roads, leading to a cascading backlog on one of the National Capital Region’s busiest corridors.

The disruption resulted in journey times of up to 70 to 80 minutes for commuters travelling between Gurugram and Dhaula Kuan [3, 5]. In Gurugram, traffic movement was severely affected from Rajiv Chowk to 32nd Avenue, near Leisure Valley Park, and from Iffco Chowk to Udyog Vihar Phase 4. Many commuters took to social media to share their ordeal, with one motorist noting that connectivity between the two cities was broken for 48 hours. The congestion was further compounded by festive season shopping traffic and restrictions on heavy vehicles entering Gurugram during peak morning hours [1, 3].

The disruption highlights the vulnerability of the National Capital Region's transport infrastructure, where a single flyover closure can paralyse connectivity between the national capital and its largest satellite city. Commuters criticised the traffic management, noting that preventive measures, such as restricting goods carriers during the day, were not implemented in time to mitigate the festive rush. The presence of trucks and goods carriers on the NH-48 exacerbated the gridlock, as the alternative routes were not adequately segregated for heavy and light vehicles.

With the PWD having finished the structural repairs, the flyover will undergo a 48-hour curing period to ensure the repaired concrete gains adequate strength. Traffic is expected to normalise by Monday once the infrastructure is cleared for use after a final inspection. Until then, Delhi Traffic Police has advised motorists to avoid the affected stretch, use alternative routes, and factor in extra travel time, while Gurugram traffic police continue to divert vehicles via the KMP Expressway and Dwarka Expressway [1, 4].