A week-long survey conducted by the Delhi Traffic Police has confirmed what daily commuters already know: the iconic, colonial-era roundabouts of Lutyens’ Delhi, originally designed to facilitate movement, have become persistent traffic bottlenecks. Following the detailed investigation, the Traffic Police have flagged five specific roundabouts as the worst-affected and recommended a major structural overhaul to the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC).
The comprehensive survey of 39 roundabouts in the NDMC area, carried out between June 3 and June 9, identified several engineering defects contributing to the congestion: disproportionate road widths, misaligned footpaths, excessive plantation spaces, and narrow diameters were all found to be squeezing the flow of vehicles.
The Five Worst-Affected Roundabouts
Based on their high traffic volumes, frequent VIP convoy movements, and consistent congestion patterns, the police identified the following five junctions that require immediate attention:
- Teen Murti Haifa
- Tughlak Road
- Sunehri Bagh
- Jaswant Singh (Panchmukhi Chowk)
- Q-Point near India Gate
“We have shared our observations and recommendations with NDMC, requesting it to examine the feasibility of redesigning these roundabouts by widening roads, expanding the circles’ diameters, realigning footpaths, and adjusting plantation zones,” stated a senior traffic officer involved in the survey. The NDMC has acknowledged the findings and is now conducting its own study of the five circles, which was launched between August and September.
Detailed Recommendations for Key Circles
The police report provided specific details and suggested solutions for the highly congested points:
Teen Murti Haifa Roundabout
Dubbed the “gateway to central Delhi,” this roundabout funnels traffic from five arterial roads—including Teen Murti Marg, Kushak Road, and Mother Teresa Crescent—toward key government and court complexes. It is also a critical route for VIP convoys to and from the Delhi airport.
The survey highlighted the 800-meter stretch leading to Kautilya Marg, which is currently limited to just two lanes in each direction. The narrowness is exacerbated by three-foot-wide footpaths and a large 20–25 feet of plantation space. The recommendation is to widen each carriageway to three lanes by reclaiming space currently occupied by footpaths and unused green areas. Police estimate this can be done while still retaining 9–14 feet of green cover, which would significantly ease congestion during peak hours.
Tughlak Road Roundabout
Located near the Tughlak Road police station, this junction is a vital entry point for vehicles from South Delhi via Aurobindo Marg. Traffic officials noted that the narrow approach of APJ Abdul Kalam Road towards the circle, combined with the roundabout’s limited size, leads to long queues during office hours. The police have proposed expanding both the roundabout and the connected road segment.
Sunehri Bagh Roundabout
This sensitive junction, surrounded by the Sunehri Masjid and government offices, is troubled by misaligned footpaths and narrow lanes. Though its 58-meter diameter is considered adequate, the report notes that poorly aligned pavements encroach upon the carriageway. Realigning these pavements is expected to free up crucial space, a necessity given the anticipated increase in traffic from the upcoming Executive Enclave and National Museum.
Q-Point Roundabout
Positioned near India Gate, the Q-Point circle is a complex intersection connecting six major roads. The survey identified “narrow exit points” and “bottlenecked lanes” as the primary issues, causing backlogs that can stretch across multiple approach roads. Police have recommended enlarging the roundabout’s diameter to facilitate smoother traffic merges.
Jaswant Singh (Panchmukhi Chowk) Roundabout
This roundabout, where five busy roads converge, routinely experiences gridlock in the mornings and evenings. The congestion is attributed to its narrow 20-meter diameter, which is further complicated by the ongoing Central Vista construction and its close proximity to the popular India Gate and Kartavya Path. Traffic police propose increasing the diameter by at least 10 meters to reduce pile-ups and ensure smoother traffic flow.