Traffic jams on national highways inside city limits, once seen mainly in big metros like Delhi and Bengaluru, are now common in smaller cities too.

Government data shared with states revealed that in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, average speeds on highways drop to just 27 kmph within the city, compared with 55 kmph on stretches outside.

To tackle this mounting congestion, the Centre will undertake the development of 34 new access-controlled Ring Roads, supplementing 36 similar projects already underway.

The Road Transport and Highways Ministry has reportedly prepared a roadmap and sought state cooperation to expedite these projects, designed for speeds of 100–120 kmph.

Cities identified for the new greenfield corridors include Kolkata and Amaravati agglomerations, Nashik, Thiruvananthapuram, Ajmer, Warangal, Mangaluru, Udaipur and Tirunelveli.

At a review meeting chaired by Union road transport minister Nitin Gadkari, state PWD and urban development secretaries were briefed on the plan.

To prevent future bottlenecks, the stretches will have a Development Control Zone (DCZ) of 15 metres on either side, where only public utilities and green cover will be permitted.

Beyond this, a two-kilometre regulated development zone will apply.

States will be expected to contribute financially, with options ranging from covering half the project cost in return for a share of toll revenue, to bearing land acquisition expenses or supporting the schemes through land pooling.

Officials stressed that since states are the biggest beneficiary of such projects, they need to provide some share of the project cost.

The ministry also highlighted how highway construction could help address solid waste challenges. Fifteen major municipal dump sites located near upcoming projects could supply about 277 lakh tonnes of inert waste for embankments.