Rushing to meet the deadlines for the various project under way for the Commonwealth Games, the Delhi Government on Wednesday asked the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to handover roads under its charge for executing work on new metro routes at the earliest to the road agencies concerned.
The Government has asked DMRC to wind up work quickly so that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and the Public Works Department (PWD) can begin work related to development, strengthening, landscaping and greening.
Chairing a meeting with officials of the departments concerned, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit underlined the importance of development and up-gradation of critical roads that are presently under the charge of DMRC.
It was pointed out that since the roads under DMRC’s charge have been closed to traffic, not only has the traffic situation been adversely affected, but work related to landscaping, strengthening and greening of roads has also been stalled.
Roads that are presently with DMRC include Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Panchkuian Road, Mother Teresa Crescent, Vikas Marg, Tughlak Road, Humayun Road, Aurobindo Marg, road near Lady Sri Ram College and between Lajpat Nagar and Defence Colony, M.B. Road and M.G. Road.
“The DMRC assured that the roads would be handed over at the earliest, preferably before target date. DMRC Managing Director E Sreedharan has assured that the Corporation would be able to complete its work on time and only work related to development of stations is yet to be completed,” said a government official.
“In case DMRC does not hand over the roads in time, it will then have the additional responsibility of carrying out all the works related to strengthening and beautification on that particular road,” he added.
It was also decided that a third party may be involved, if necessary, to ensure that the work related to the restoration, development and strengthening has been completed in accordance with the prescribed standard.
The Chief Minister also instructed the DMRC, MCD, NDMC and PWD to work together for the development of roads.