Delhi is preparing for one of its most ambitious non-motorised transport projects yet. A 53-km continuous cycling and walking corridor is set to come up along both banks of the Yamuna River, aiming to reshape the way residents move, exercise, and engage with the city’s riverfront.
Planned as a clean, safe, and scenic route, the corridor will run from the Wazirabad Barrage in the north to areas near NH-24 and the Kalindi Kunj Biodiversity Park in the south. Once completed, the project is expected to offer uninterrupted access for walkers and cyclists across large stretches of Delhi, away from traffic, noise, and heavy pollution.
The project will be executed by the Delhi Development Authority in three phases. Phase I is expected to begin in early 2026 and take about 12 months to complete. Officials estimate that the full 53-km corridor will be ready within three years. Tenders have already been issued, and most statutory approvals are in place.
The corridor will be divided across both sides of the river, with 23 km planned on the western bank and 30 km on the eastern bank. Officials emphasize that the design strictly respects environmental safeguards. No construction will be permitted in sensitive floodplain zones, and strict norms will guide development to ensure existing greenery and natural habitats are protected.
Unlike conventional road projects, the Yamuna cycle corridor is being promoted as much more than a transport upgrade. It also forms a key part of Delhi’s wider push to reclaim its neglected riverfront. Over the last two years, several biodiversity parks and green spaces have been developed along the Yamuna. The new corridor will connect many of these spaces into a single continuous green network.
Senior officials describe the project as a step towards changing daily travel behaviour in the capital. By offering a safe, well-lit, and clearly marked track for walking and cycling, the city hopes to reduce dependence on private vehicles for short-distance travel. This, in turn, is expected to ease traffic pressure on already congested roads and contribute to cleaner air.
The project recently drew attention after it was reviewed by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who described it as a historic step towards healthier lifestyles and improved air quality. The administration sees the corridor as a long-term investment in both public health and urban sustainability.
For daily commuters, the corridor could offer a new alternative to motorised transport. Safer cycling routes may encourage students, office-goers, and fitness enthusiasts to switch from cars and two-wheelers to bicycles for short trips. Planners also expect the track to become a popular venue for morning walks, evening rides, and weekend recreation.
The environmental logic behind the project is equally central. With fewer vehicles on the road, carbon emissions are expected to fall. Residents living along major traffic corridors such as NH-24, Old Yamuna Bridge, and Kalindi Kunj could see some relief from congestion and pollution over time. The idea is also to draw people back to the river as a shared public space rather than a polluted backside of the city.
Authorities project several long-term benefits for residents. Improved air quality remains the most immediate expectation as walking and cycling replace at least a portion of short motorised trips. The corridor will also create accessible exercise spaces for all age groups, from schoolchildren to senior citizens. By linking biodiversity parks and restored green areas, the project is also expected to add an eco-tourism dimension to the riverfront.
Urban planners view the corridor as part of a broader strategy to renew the Yamuna floodplains. Alongside ongoing river-cleaning drives and ecological restoration efforts, the cycling and walking track will help reclaim neglected stretches of land and turn them into usable, community-friendly public spaces.
Once operational, the corridor will allow residents to travel long distances along the Yamuna without interruption. For many, this could mean cycling across the city without ever having to mix with fast-moving traffic. For others, it will simply create a rare continuous green escape in a densely built metropolis.
If executed as planned, the Yamuna cycle corridor may set a blueprint for other Indian cities trying to balance urban growth with environmental responsibility. For Delhi, it signals a slow but significant shift towards cleaner mobility, healthier routines, and a renewed relationship with its most important river.
