Post by : Meena Rani

Metro Construction Trial Causes Heavy Traffic Snarls in Gurugram

A traffic trial related to metro construction between Millennium City Centre and Kanhai T-point in Gurugram has ignited severe traffic congestion along this vital urban corridor. The trial involves lane closures and barricading to facilitate pier construction for the new metro line. Commuters report long queues, extended travel times, and delays even through underpasses that were once relatively free-flowing.

The trial is part of Gurugram Metro Rail Limited’s (GMRL) phased plan to test traffic patterns and bottlenecks before finalizing a full traffic-management plan. Officials say the trial will continue while the feedback is collected and adjustments made.

This article dives into the specifics of the trial, its causes, impacts, mitigation efforts, stakeholder perspectives, comparisons to best practices, and key lessons for cities undergoing transit infrastructure expansion.

Background: Metro development and traffic in Gurugram

Metro expansion in Gurugram

Earlier in 2025, construction began on a new elevated metro corridor connecting Millennium City Centre to Basai (Phase 1), covering approximately 15.2 km and 14 stations. This route is a key part of Gurugram’s plan to expand urban connectivity and reduce dependence on roads.

As part of this metro expansion, road alignments and construction zones are being designated and integrated, including pier construction, pile drilling, and foundation work along road medians.

The traffic trial concept

Before full-scale road closures or permanent traffic changes, GMRL and local authorities initiated a traffic trial — a temporary arrangement where lanes are partially closed or diverted to simulate final traffic designs. This helps identify chokepoints, test signal timing, and gauge commuter adaptation.

In this trial, one lane on both sides of the carriageway is barricaded around Kanhai T-point to allow space for pillar/ pier construction and related works. 

What’s happening on the ground: Trial design & traffic effects

Barricading, lane closures, and their logic

To enable pier construction, GMRL has reduced lanes: one lane on each side of the road has been barricaded for works on the central verge. This constrains vehicles to fewer lanes than usual.

Vehicles passing through the corridor now converge from multiple lanes into fewer passing lanes, leading to queuing and merging delays. This is especially consequential in stretches near Kanhai T-point, a key signalized junction. 

Impact zones and choke points

• The underpass exit at Millennium City Centre now takes up to 10 minutes to exit during peak hours, per commuter reports.

• The queues at Kanhai T-point stretch back to the underpass, causing delays upstream. 

• Because the exit of the underpass is only two lanes, but the connecting road is normally three lanes, the merging bottleneck exacerbates traffic jam severity. 

Commuter experiences

Commuters working in Sector 44 and nearby areas have reported increased delays, with some choosing alternate internal roads to bypass the snarls. One commuter noted the decision to avoid Kanhai Road and instead use inner roads via Z Chowk near Fortis Hospital. 

During peak hours, the congestion is most pronounced as vehicles from multiple directions converge, and lane reductions squeeze traffic flow.

Causes, constraints & compounding factors

Urban congestion + limited flexibility

Gurugram’s roads are already heavily used, especially on arterial connectors like the Millennium-Kanhai stretch. Adding construction closures reduces buffer capacity and triggers spillback.

Intersection geometry and merging constraints

When exits and merges funnel from wider lanes to narrower ones, delays multiply. The underpass exit being narrower than the preceding road intensifies merging friction.

Signalized junction pressure

Kanhai T-point is a traffic signal junction. The trial works close to this node, so queuing at signals further compounds delays, especially since traffic must traverse the intersection under constrained lanes.

Adaptive behaviour and insufficient diversions

Many commuters stick to habitual routes, unaware of alternative paths or diversions. If signage or guidance is weak, the trial's traffic-relief measures may not be fully used.

Construction scheduling and work timing

If pier construction or barricading occurs during peak hours or over extended durations, the impact is greater. Phased or nighttime-only works may reduce daytime congestion.

Responses, mitigation efforts, and official stance

Official acknowledgment and instructions

A senior GMRL official confirmed that the barricading and trial were approved by traffic police and that steps are being taken to minimize commuter hardship. Directions have been issued to the metro contractor to adjust works to minimize disruption.

Diversion routes and traffic police coordination

Authorities have suggested diversion routes: vehicles from Z Chowk will be diverted via Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Marg, St. Thomas Marg, Bhagwan Mahavir Marg, merging onto Arya Samaj Marg en route to Subhash Chowk. 

Coordination among Gurgaon traffic police, GMRL, and local administration is emphasized to smooth transition and manage bottlenecks.

Use of feedback and iterative adjustment

The trial is deliberately provisional, intended to collect feedback, detect choke segments, and adjust the traffic design before making permanent changes. 

Officials say they will work with traffic police to adjust timings, signaling, and lane discipline to keep traffic flowing. 

Impacts & implications

Increased travel times and commuter stress

Longer delays for daily travellers, reduced predictability of journey time, and increased fuel consumption are immediate impacts.

Spillover to adjacent roads

Congestion on the main alignment may spill over into side roads and internal sectors, burdening typically less congested roads with diverted traffic.

Public frustration and perception

Public frustration tends to rise with perceived construction mismanagement, especially when mitigation is unclear or commute costs rise.

Lessons for future metro construction zones

This trial exposes how critical traffic planning needs to be during large infrastructure projects. Urban corridors cannot be shut or reconfigured without robust simulations, community information, and staged mitigation.

Best practices and comparative lessons

Phased and time-windowed construction

Many cities phase construction so that heavy works happen during off-peak or nighttime windows, reducing daytime traffic impact.

Real-time dynamic traffic management

Use traffic sensors, adaptive signaling, and dynamic diversion routing to manage flow in real time, rather than static lane closures.

Strong signage, information campaigns, and public alerts

Advance public notice, lane-change warnings, mobile alerts and clear signage help commuters choose alternate routes ahead of bottlenecks.

Pilot trials with smaller segments first

Rather than a long stretch, trial small snippets to validate traffic flow models before expanding the closure zone.

Buffer lanes and overcapacity design

Where possible, leave emergency or buffer lanes open, or design temporary bypasses to recapture some lost capacity.

What stakeholders should watch

Trial modifications and final traffic plan

Commuters and local media should watch when GMRL and traffic authorities publish the final traffic pattern, adjusted signal phases, lane assignments, and timings after the trial ends.

Signal timing and coordination updates

Should see refined signal phases, turn timings, and staging around Kanhai T-point or adjacent junctions to match new lane geometry.

Enforcement of divergence and lane discipline

Traffic police must enforce lane discipline and ensure vehicles adhere to assigned lanes to prevent stray merging and choking.

Adoption or rejection of feedback suggestions

Look for changes based on commuter feedback (e.g. safer crossings, adjusted diversions, alternate routes).

Commuter mode shift or alternate route adaptation

Monitoring whether commuters shift to alternate roads, earlier departure times, or alternative modes (e.g. two-wheelers, app-based routing) in response to the trial.

Disclaimer
This article is based on current media reporting as of 15 October 2025. Construction plans, traffic patterns, mitigation measures, and official decisions may evolve. Readers and commuters should refer to local traffic authorities, GMRL updates, and municipal notices for the latest and official information.

Gurugram metro, traffic congestion, metro construction trial, GMRL, Kanhai T-point, traffic diversion, urban mobility, commuter delays, infrastructure projects, transit planning