Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Urban Extension Road-2 (UER-2) and the Delhi section of the Dwarka Expressway on August 16, marking a major boost to road connectivity in the national capital and the National Capital Region (NCR). The inauguration ceremony will be held near Dwarka on the Dwarka Expressway, with preparations already under way for the venue selection.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and several MPs and MLAs from Delhi-NCR are expected to attend the event.
The UER-2, also referred to as Delhi’s new ring road, is set to provide faster access to Indira Gandhi International Airport from multiple parts of Delhi and neighbouring states. Once operational, travel time from certain areas, which currently takes nearly two hours, will be reduced to just 20 minutes. The project is also expected to ease congestion on existing routes, saving significant amounts of fuel.
The Rs 8,000 crore expressway project features four to six lanes and is nearing completion. Authorities expect it to be ready in the next ten days. According to officials, the improved network will not only enhance airport connectivity but also improve access between Delhi and cities such as Sonipat, Karnal, Panipat, Ambala, Rohtak, Jind and Bahadurgarh.
Strategic Links Across NCR
The UER-2 will integrate multiple key highways:
– Delhi-Chandigarh Highway connects at Alipur.
– Delhi-Rohtak Highway joins at Mundka.
– Sonipat Highway merges at Bawana.
– Dwarka Expressway links further to the Gurugram-Sohna Highway.
The Gurugram-Sohna Highway is already connected to the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, creating a seamless corridor to major cities in multiple states.
A separate 8 km stretch has been constructed to connect Bahadurgarh to the airport via UER-2 at Dichau Kalan, further enhancing last-mile links.
Benefits For Travellers And Delhi’s Roads
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) says the new infrastructure will divert significant traffic away from central Delhi, reducing congestion in residential and commercial zones. Currently, commuters travelling to the airport from the Delhi-Chandigarh Highway must pass through busy city areas, causing delays even outside peak hours. With the new route, this journey will be reduced to under half an hour.
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Former NHAI technical adviser JS Suhag noted that UER-2 will “greatly ease the vehicle load in Delhi” and make cross-city travel faster and more efficient.
Event Preparations Underway
The Prime Minister’s Office has directed NHAI to prepare for the August 16 event, which could be held at Yashobhoomi Convention Centre or another venue in Dwarka.
The Gurugram section of the Dwarka Expressway, running from Kherki Daula to near Shiv Murti in Mahipalpur, was inaugurated by PM Modi last year. That stretch has already reduced travel time from Manesar to the airport from nearly two hours to just 20–25 minutes — a benefit that UER-2 is expected to replicate for several other regions.