With the second carriageway of the Naraina flyover being opened to traffic by Delhi Public Works Department Raj Kumar Chauhan on Saturday and the flyover thus becoming fully operational, the travel on Ring Road has become signal free all the way from Shalimar Bagh in North West Delhi to Bhairon Marg on the eastern end of the Ring Road.
Speaking at the inauguration of the second carriageway of the flyover, Mr. Chauhan said it was due to paucity of space at ground level that construction work on the two carriageways of the flyover could not be taken up simultaneously. So, the first carriageway was completed and opened to traffic on September 26, 2009 and then the work began on the second carriageway.
The Minister said the opening of the second carriageway of the Naraina flyover would provide uninterrupted movement for vehicles between Shalimar Bagh and Bhairon Marg on Ring Road. Besides, he said, it would eliminate traffic snarls at Mayapuri and Naraina thereby resulting in saving of time and fuel for the commuters.
He said a study had been conducted to make the entire Ring Road signal free and based on it, the Naraina ‘T’-Point flyover was started. The ‘T’ point intersection of Ring Road and Loha Mandi at Naraina Village used to witness heavy traffic during peak hours.
Mr. Chauhan informed that the 1,205-metre-long bridge has been constructed at a cost of Rs. 120 crore and has two nine-metre wide carriageways with three lanes each. He said the street lighting on the flyover conforms to international standards and a provision for lift, with a capacity of 13 passengers, has also been made along with each bus bay for the handicapped and senior citizens.
To spruce up the area around the flyover, he said, consultants have been engaged. The proposal also envisages landscaping and beautification of the area below the flyover. There area also plans to provide parking space below the flyover to reduce the parking problems that the area witnesses.
Reiterating that all Commonwealth Games-related projects would be completed within stipulated time frame as constant monitoring is being done to accelerate the pace of work, the Minister assured that PWD would adhere to the quality norms.
“Delhi would undergo a sea-change ahead of the Commonwealth Games. The hosting of such a prestigious international sporting event has provided an excellent opportunity to the city to undertake a large number of developmental works,” he said, recalling how a similar opportunity had knocked at Delhi’s doors during the 1982 Asian Games.
