Citing loss of crores of rupees and underlining its intention to improve the environment by reducing carbon emission from vehicles with minimum damage to flow of Yamuna, Delhi government’s Public Works Department on Tuesday moved the National Green Tribunal for setting aside/ modification of order of stay on the work of Phase III of the Barapullah elevated corridor till the time an environmental clearance is obtained.
The NGT had in October stayed the work on Barapullah Phase III which will connect Sarai Kale Khan and Mayur Vihar on a petition filed by environmental activist of Yamuna Jiye Abhiyaan, Manoj Misra.
The Tribunal has now fixed the matter for hearing on November 9.
The PWD while seeking vacation of stay on work on Barapullah Phase III claimed that the built up area of the project is not about 1,50,000 sq m and covers an area of less than 50 hectares and hence does not require an EC.
Stressing that it has taken all statutory clearances for the work as it maintained that “the construction is state of art bridge and minimal amount of pillars are required to be made in Yamuna for it”, the PWD said the stay order has been leading to loss of crores of Rupees to the exchequer as on date. The construction in the river bed has to be completed before May, 2016 before the onset of next monsoon and if the same is not completed it shall delay the project by at least 12 months resulting in further loss.
“The project is of a magnitude of Rs 1260.63 crores for improvement of public transport and that crores of Rupees of public money has already been spent on the work,” it said.
Batting for the project as environment-friendly, the PWD said “the construction of the bridge would result in improving the environment tremendously and would lead to huge saving in carbon credits, man hours and fuel. Besides, it would cause minimal damage to the flow of Yamuna.”
“Upon the construction of the bridge, carbon footprints from vehicles would reduce as there is perpetually a jam on the bridges across Yamuna,” it said claiming that all construction is being carried with minimal disruption of flow in Yamuna.
The MPD 2021 also approves construction of bridge on Yamuna in the downstream of Nizammudin bridge and the MoUD has also suggested that this bridge be constructed along the alignment of old Pantoon bridge, said PWD.
The civic body also submitted that the proposed metro rail and development of Sarai Kale Khan and upcoming Barapullah Phase III connecting Sarai Kale Khan to Mayur Vihar including existing Barapullah project is the guiding factor in providing access from East Delhi to South Delhi, the most direct link.
The PWD said the petition on which the stay order was granted was filed with an intention to cause irreparable loss to the state exchequer. It claimed that on the suggestion of Mr Misra in the initial stages, the scheme was modified resulting in enhancing the cost by Rs 200 crores.
NGT had in October stayed the work on Barapullah phase III, which will connect Sarai Kale Khan and Mayur Vihar, on a petition filed by environment activist of Yamuna Jiye Abhiyaan, Manoj Misra
