An earthmover digging mud from one end of a long stretch that connects INA Market to Aurobindo Marg marks the only activity on an otherwise quiet road, that has been cordoned off with boards that read “Barapullah Elevated Corridor-Phase II”. The work in progress pales in comparison to the hectic activity carried out at the Delhi Metro construction site nearby. Instead, pigs rummage through garbage strewn about around the half-constructed concrete pillars.
A year has passed since former Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit inaugurated Phase-II of the project. However, according to estimates from the Delhi Government’s Public Works Department, only 20 per cent of the work has been completed despite the March 2015 deadline. While the tendered amount is Rs.350 crore, the project cost is estimated at Rs.400 crore.
The Barapullah elevated corridor connects Sarai Kale Khan and the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Phase-II will extend it till INA Market and Phase-III will connect it all the way to Mayur Vihar. According to officials, the idea is to shrink travel time from East Delhi to the rest of Delhi.
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“The project is expected to provide additional loops at Ring Road and Sarai Kale Khan. It will provide maximum connectivity to Lala Lajpat Rai Marg,” the official added. Yet work on the project may get delayed for want of permission from the Railways to cross a railway line at Kotla Mubarakpur, said the official.
In August, the Unified Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure (Planning & Engineering) Centre (UTTIPEC), headed by the Lieutenant-Governor, had approved Phase-III of the project linking INA Market to Mayur Vihar Phase-I. Under this, the road will be extended from Sarai Kale Khan to U.P. Link Road on the eastern bank of the Yamuna near Mayur Vihar Phase-I and a 3.5 km road will be constructed on the riverbed using stilts.
According to officials, the traffic coming from the elevated road will disperse in three directions — right towards Noida through a grade-separated loop, left towards Akshardham and straight towards Mayur Vihar at grade junctions.
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With UTTIPEC giving its nod, the project proposal is currently with the Yamuna Standing Committee of the Central Water Commission, which is studying a model of the flyover. “After this we will go for a Detailed Project Report, for which we need a structural consultant,” said the officials.