The Hindu : New Delhi News : Major projects for Capital cleared

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 20, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Major projects for Capital cleared

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, MAY 19. With the Lok Sabha elections behind it, the Delhi Government has got down to the job of governance. In some major decisions, it has cleared the construction of a modern Inter-State Bus Terminal at Sarai Kale Khan, building of 1,200 new bus queue shelters of modern design and a pedestrian subway across Ring Road at Nigambodh Ghat, comprehensive renovation of the Indraprastha Power Plant, setting up ten new fire stations and residential quarters for the Delhi Government staff.

It is understood that the Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, has also directed the Public Works Department and the Urban Development Department to come up with status reports on the progress of various projects as she is concerned over the delay in execution of 15 major infrastructure projects. "I will be taking up review of the flyover and bridges projects in the next few days. Things will start moving and where delays are noticed, they will be covered up by efficient execution in the remaining part of the period. No complacency would be allowed to creep in," the Chief Minister said.

One of the major projects to get the nod is construction of an ISBT at Sarai Kale Khan at a total cost of Rs. 97.91 crores. The project is slated to be completed within 48 months after getting the administrative approval. The construction would require the approval of Delhi Development Authority and the Urban Arts Commission. It is projected to handle 1,500 inter-State bus trips and 1,000 city bus trips. The Expenditure Finance Committee has already given its approval to the project. It is learnt that the Sarai Kale Khan ISBT would be connected with Nizamuddin railway station through escalators in order to provide the incoming and outgoing passengers easy connectivity. In addition, the Government has also approved construction of storm water drain at ISBT in Sarai Kale Khan in order to avoid flooding of the ISBT every monsoon.

On the other hand, the Government has also approved construction of 1,200 new bus queue shelters in various parts of the city. A large number of bus stops in the Capital are without any bus shelters. The Government has provided Rs.12 crore for this purpose and the project has received the approval of the Expenditure Finance Committee. Another major project that has been approved by the Expenditure Finance Committee is the comprehensive renovation and modernisation of the Indraprastha Power Plant. A sum of Rs. 443 crores has been provided for this action plan that would entail renovation of the units 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the Indraprastha Power Plant. This would go a long way in augmentation of the generation capacity of Delhi and reduce the reliance of the Government on outside sources for power requirements. Also, the Government has approved the construction of a subway across Ring Road at Nigambodh Ghat at an approximate cost of Rs. 3 crores. The project had been hanging fire for a long time and would be completed by July next year. It would link Nigambodh Ghat with the Hanuman and Valmiki temples in the area and ensure smooth movement of pedestrians and traffic on Ring Road.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

New Delhi