NH-8 Revamp: Delhi-Jaipur Expressway Gets a Lifeline

A critical stretch of National Highway 8 (NH-8) — the Delhi-Jaipur expressway, one of India's busiest inter-city corridors — is set for a major overhaul. With daily traffic exceeding 3 lakh passenger cars, more than double its intended capacity, the expressway is under immense strain and in urgent need of enhancement.

"The expressway has long exceeded its designed capacity, necessitating immediate upgrades," a National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) official confirmed.

The project includes full resurfacing of a 10-kilometer segment within Delhi and 18 kilometers through Gurgaon. Key improvements involve reinforcing pavement near flyovers, underpasses, and service roads to extend durability. Additionally, existing metal crash barriers will be replaced with stronger concrete ones to boost safety in the event of collisions.

To address safety concerns, upgrades will target engineering flaws at accident-prone spots, alongside improved signage, road markings, and lighting — the latter enhanced to a minimum of 40 lux to improve nighttime visibility. Traffic diversions will be carefully planned and announced in advance.

Persistent waterlogging in Narsinghpur's service roads will be tackled through recarpeting with ready-mix concrete (RMC). "While GMDA is working on a permanent drainage solution, RMC will minimize frequent repairs," the official noted.

Further resurfacing between Hero Honda Chowk and Kherki Daula will focus on surface strengthening via scarification, profile correction, bituminous overlays, and seal coats, especially in areas prone to water damage and uneven wear.

Commuters have largely welcomed the move. “This expressway is a lifeline for daily commuters, and patchwork fixes weren’t enough,” said Rajat Srivastava of Sector 70A. However, others like Manish Agarwal of South City-2 voiced concerns about long-term congestion. “What’s the point of smoother roads if we’re still stuck in traffic? Without added capacity or alternate routes, the problem remains.”

News by Rahul Yelligetti.