On Wednesday, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and Delhi Development Authority (DDA) included proposals to develop three logistics parks or freight villages along the Urban Extension Road-II (UER) as a part of the proposed Delhi Master Plan. The three logistics parks are aimed at moving a large share of trucks and heavy vehicle traffic onto the new highways from the significant arterial stretches of Delhi to decongest its roads. Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari told the media that the Delhi Lieutenant Governor directed DDA to work out the strategy with NHAI for the development of these logistics parks under the proposed Master Plan. The shifting of vehicles and warehouses from the heart of Delhi to the adjacent regions of the new highways and expressways will decrease congestion and air pollution in Delhi. Gadkari, who headed the meeting with Delhi LG Anil Baijal, senior officials from the Delhi government and DDA besides local MPs, said it is likely to create six logistics hubs along the UER-II, Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways, and Dwarka Expressway in the NCR where railway lines cross these main roads. He said that the goods landing at these major hubs could be transported to various parts of Delhi and NCR using small and clean-fuel vehicles. National Highways Logistics Management Ltd, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) of NHAI for multi-modal logistics parks development, emphasised how the Tughlakabad ICD is now in the middle of a highly-populated region. Originally, it was planned to be on the periphery of Delhi. Presently, daily about 60,000 trucks ply Delhi roads to transport about 9.5 lakh tonnes of freight. While around 25,000 trucks are destined for Delhi, 16,000 trucks pass via the city, and the rest 19,000 trucks originate from Delhi transporting goods to other parts of India. Three freight villages would come up at Holambi Kalan in Baprola, Narela, and Mundka with 173 hectares to decongest Sanjay Gandhi Transport Nagar, as per the proposal. All these three locations are near the UER-II. Even the current Transport Nagar can be redeveloped with a Rs 20,000 crore investment. Image Source Also read: Telangana seeks govt approval to develop four logistic parks