International Journal of Social Science Research (IJSSR)

A Comprehensive Research Analysis of Fast-Growing Traffic Problems in Meerut District

Meerut, one of the fastest-growing urban centers in Uttar Pradesh and part of India's National Capital Region (NCR), is confronting a rapidly escalating traffic crisis driven by explosive vehicle growth, insufficient road infrastructure, poor traffic management, and the inadequacy of public transportation alternatives. This research paper analyses the multidimensional traffic problems afflicting Meerut district, drawing on the latest available data from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH, 2024), Uttar Pradesh Traffic Police, National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB, 2023–24), Asian Development Bank (ADB, 2024), and the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC, 2024–25). Vehicle registrations in Meerut have grown at over 11% per annum since 2001—far exceeding road network expansion. The Delhi-Meerut expressway, despite being inaugurated in 2021, routinely experiences multikilometer jams. Urban arterials suffer daily gridlock at key nodes including Hapur Road, Baghpat Road, Delhi Road, Garh Road, and around the railway station. Road accidents remain a severe public health burden: nationally, over 1.73 lakh people were killed in road accidents in 2023 alone, and Uttar Pradesh consistently ranks among the worst-performing states. Structural causes include encroachment of road space, unregulated commercial vehicle movement, absence of integrated traffic management systems, lane indiscipline, and inadequate pedestrian infrastructure. While major interventions—the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, the RRTS Namo Bharat corridor (fully operational as of February 2026), and Meerut Metro—offer relief, intra-city traffic problems remain acute and demand urgent systemic attention.