The Delhi Traffic Police has identified a structural bottleneck at the Old Barapullah Flyover as the primary cause of heavy congestion following the opening of Barapullah Phase-III. The department said traffic from several connecting routes was converging at a narrow section of the older flyover, creating severe delays near Barapullah Junction.

According to the police width analysis, the Old Barapullah Flyover, the new Phase-III flyover on the Mayur Vihar side, and the Sarai Kale Khan and DND side loops each provide about three lanes. As a result, traffic from approximately eight to nine lanes is merging into three lanes at a single point on the older structure. The department said the arrangement had created a capacity mismatch that was not adequately reflected on digital navigation platforms.

The police said Google Maps was continuing to show green traffic conditions despite the congestion, while personnel had been deployed at the merging points to regulate movement. As an immediate measure, traffic from Barapullah Phase-III was being diverted towards NH-24 and the DND. The action followed reports of a traffic jam stretching about 2 km from Mayur Vihar towards AIIMS, with an ambulance also reported to have been caught in the congestion.

The disruption comes as Delhi prepares to implement a technology-led traffic management programme. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the Intelligent Traffic Management System at an estimated cost of Rs. 17.9 bn, inclusive of taxes. The project will cover 42 traffic corridors and be implemented in three phases over 24 months, followed by five years of operation and maintenance.

The system will replace fixed signal management with adaptive controls across 1,092 locations and support enforcement at 1,029 sites. It will use real-time data to detect congestion, coordinate signals, create priority routes for emergency vehicles and support quicker diversions. Delhi Police will implement the project through a master system integrator, while C-DAC will provide technical support. The programme is intended to improve use of the existing road network, which serves about 7,100,000 active registered vehicles.