NEW DELHI: Delhi — a city that runs at full speed by day and collapses under broken roads, potholes and seasonal challenges by night — may soon see a major transformation. The Public Works Department (PWD) has announced an ambitious plan to build and upgrade 500 km of new roads by March 2026, a move the government claims will dramatically improve the capital’s crumbling infrastructure.
PWD Minister Pravesh Verma said a comprehensive roadmap has been prepared to modernise Delhi’s roads, including pothole repair, new footpaths, upgraded stormwater systems, and remodelling of underpasses. The project is backed by ₹800 crore in central government funding, which officials believe will accelerate execution.
Why this overhaul matters
Delhi’s roads often deteriorate every year due to:
- Heavy monsoon rainfall
- Excessive traffic load
- Poor drainage and waterlogging
- Patchwork repairs instead of long-term solutions
This cycle leads to potholes, accidents, traffic jams and road safety hazards. The government claims that the new road network will use better construction material, improved engineering practices and modern drainage design to ensure longer durability.
Execution is key — not just announcements
While the plan sounds promising, past mega-projects in Delhi show that good intentions often falter due to delays and weak monitoring. Experts say that the success of the 500 km mission will depend on:
- Strict deadlines
- Strong supervision
- Zero compromise on quality
- Transparent coordination between departments
Otherwise, residents fear this too may become “just another announcement.”
500 Hotspots Identified; PWD begins inspections
To make Delhi pothole-free, Minister Pravesh Verma has begun ground inspections. Posting on social media, he wrote:
“A citywide campaign is underway to improve Delhi’s roads and cleanliness.
500 major hotspots have been identified where roads, sanitation and civic systems were found lacking.”
During an inspection at Kotla Mubarakpur, senior officials from DM Office, DC Office, MCD, Delhi Police, Irrigation & Flood Control, DDA, PWD, Delhi Jal Board and NDMC were present.
Clear instructions issued
At the site, departments were ordered to:
- Repair damaged roads immediately
- Ensure regular cleaning of public toilets
- Carry out quick and comprehensive sanitation drives
- Fix complaints that were already flagged earlier
Sources said some repair work had already begun the previous day.
The inspection team included Neeraj Basoya and Ravinder Chaudhary, who accompanied the minister throughout the review.
