NH-48 traffic jam update: RTR flyover repairs complete, reopening expected Monday

Traffic congestion on Delhi’s NH-48 has disrupted daily commutes for the past two days after damage to the Old Rao Tula Ram (RTR) flyover forced the closure of a key carriageway towards Vasant Vihar. The disruption has affected motorists travelling between Mahipalpur and Dhaula Kuan, with traffic spilling over to nearby roads in Delhi Cantonment and Vasant Vihar. The timing has added to commuters’ frustration, as festive-season shopping has begun to draw more people onto the roads. Long queues, delays and reports of ambulances caught in traffic have prompted questions about how the disruption was managed.

There may be some relief soon. The Public Works Department (PWD) has completed the repair work, and the flyover is expected to reopen on Monday, subject to an inspection.

Why is NH-48 facing massive traffic jams?

The damaged RTR flyover disrupted traffic moving from Indira Gandhi International Airport and Gurugram towards Vasant Vihar. With the carriageway closed, motorists initially attempted to use the service road beneath the flyover. However, congestion on the road soon built up, with traffic reportedly stretching close to the Gurugram border.


Traffic advisories asking motorists to avoid the affected stretch prompted many drivers to look for alternative routes. This added pressure to NH-48 and roads on both sides of Dhaula Kuan, while nearby areas also experienced delays.

The stretch forms part of the Delhi-Mumbai highway corridor and was earlier known as NH-8. The old name remains widely used by commuters discussing traffic conditions in the area.

Commuters flag delays, ambulances stuck in traffic

The prolonged congestion has led to a series of complaints on social media, with motorists describing lengthy delays on routes connecting Mahipalpur, Dhaula Kuan, Vasant Vihar and the airport.

One commuter questioned why traffic had remained gridlocked between Mahipalpur and Dhaula Kuan for two to three days. Another said the journey from Terminal 1 towards Dhaula Kuan and Vasant Vihar had left them stuck in traffic for around 30 minutes.

Some posts also raised concerns about emergency vehicles struggling to navigate the congestion. A commuter claimed to have seen ambulances caught in traffic and questioned why stronger preventive measures had not been introduced after the flyover problem became known.

The same commuter pointed to the number of trucks and goods carriers on the road, saying at least 25 were visible during the journey. The user suggested that restrictions on daytime movement by heavy vehicles could have helped ease the pressure. These were individual accounts shared on social media and do not establish the full extent of the disruption or the official response.

Questions over flyover repair deadline

The changing expectations around the reopening of the flyover have also drawn criticism from commuters. One user questioned why an earlier update had indicated a quicker reopening, while a subsequent advisory suggested that the work could take another three to four days. The commuter argued that authorities should communicate a realistic deadline at the beginning to help people plan their journeys.

The PWD has been carrying out repairs to the damaged structure. With the work now complete, the flyover is expected to reopen on Monday after an inspection.

Until traffic resumes on the affected carriageway, motorists may continue to face delays on NH-48 and connecting roads.

Delhi Traffic Police issues advisory

Delhi Traffic Police has advised commuters to avoid the affected stretch where possible, take alternative routes and allow additional time for their journeys. People travelling towards the airport, Gurugram, Dhaula Kuan and Vasant Vihar should check traffic advisories before leaving, particularly during busy hours. Those who cannot avoid the area should account for possible delays while planning their travel.

For traffic-related assistance, commuters can contact the Delhi Traffic Police helpline at 1095.

The reopening of the RTR flyover after inspection is expected to help ease congestion. Until then, the disruption remains a concern for commuters navigating one of Delhi’s important road corridors during the festive season.