NEW DELHI, March 22, 2026 — In a major financial move aimed at regional infrastructure and environmental health, the Delhi government has approved the payment of ₹3,700 crore in pending dues for the Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways. The payment is intended to settle land acquisition costs for the two critical bypasses that divert non-destined vehicular traffic away from the national capital.
What Authorities Said
The Delhi Cabinet cleared the proposal to release the funds to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The article states that the Supreme Court had previously directed the Delhi government to contribute its share of the cost for these projects, which were built to lower Delhi Air Quality impacts caused by heavy transit vehicles.
The Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE) and Western Peripheral Expressway (WPE) together form a ring road around Delhi. Authorities noted during the cabinet meeting that:
- Traffic Diversion: The expressways are estimated to divert approximately 50,000 to 60,000 trucks daily that do not have Delhi as their destination.
- Cost Sharing: The total project cost was shared between the Centre, Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, with Delhi’s contribution primarily focused on land acquisition.
- Judicial Oversight: The payment follows several hearings in the apex court regarding the delay in fund disbursement by the Delhi government.
What This Means for Residents
Based on the details provided in the report, the successful funding and continued operation of these expressways are vital for the Delhi-NCR‘s long-term pollution strategy:
- Reduced PM2.5 Levels: By keeping heavy diesel trucks outside city limits, the expressways prevent a significant volume of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides from entering the city’s air shed.
- Decongestion: Residents can expect smoother traffic flow on major arterial roads like the Ring Road and Outer Ring Road, which were previously clogged by transit-only heavy vehicles.
- Infrastructure Stability: The settlement of these dues ensures that future regional infrastructure projects involving multiple states and the NHAI remain financially viable.
The article highlights that while the expressways have been operational, the legal and financial settlement was necessary to comply with the “polluter pays” principle and judicial mandates aimed at protecting the Delhi AQI.
What are the Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways? They are two major expressways that form a ring around Delhi, designed to allow vehicles not destined for the city to bypass it entirely.
Why did the Delhi government pay ₹3,700 crore now? The payment was approved to settle pending land acquisition costs following directions from the Supreme Court to fulfill Delhi’s share of the project funding.
How do these expressways help Delhi’s air quality? By diverting over 50,000 heavy trucks daily away from city roads, the expressways significantly reduce vehicular emissions and dust within the national capital.
Who are the partners in this infrastructure project? The project is a collaborative effort between the Central Government (NHAI) and the state governments of Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
I’am Siddharth a Air pollution analysts are environmental expert who collect, analyze, and interpret air quality data to identify pollutant sources & develop solutions for reducing atmospheric contamination.