The Hindu : New Delhi News : Delhi in for a major facelift

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Sep 16, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Delhi in for a major facelift

By Sujay Mehdudia

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 15. Elevated roads across the city, overhead bridges with escalators, widening of Ring Road into eight lanes at various points, an expressway in and around Delhi, landscaping of the entire stretch of Ring Road by the private sector, restoration of the façade of heritage buildings, multilevel parking and construction of state-of-the-art flyovers and underpasses! Yes, Delhi is all poised for a major thrust in the urban infrastructure sector from next year onwards attracting an investment of well over Rs. 3,000 crores.

The burgeoning urban population and the over-pressurised civic infrastructure has forced the Government to look beyond the present scenario. And what has come as an inspiration for planners is the 2010 Commonwealth Games as they go full speed ahead with their efforts to make Delhi a world-class city.

The Delhi Government is learnt to have sought Rs. 500 crores from the Union Finance Ministry for starting initial work in this direction. On the other hand, a World Bank document titled "Vision 21'' has entailed an investment of Rs. 15,000 crores over the next five to seven years in urban infrastructure in the Capital. "Delhi needs to plan for the next 10 to 15 years. We have sought the assistance of the Central Government in this regard and it is heartening that a Core Group has been constituted,'' said the Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit.

Stating that decongestion was high on the agenda, the Chief Minister said it was not only Ring Road which would stand elevated after submission of the Detailed Project Report but also other roads in Delhi. The consultants have been told to study the road stretches across the Capital and suggest wherever elevated roads could be constructed. The Government has had a bad experience with the construction of subways and that was the reason it has decided to go in for state-of-the-art overhead escalator powered bridges at various places.

The first such project is slated to come up at the ISBT Kashmere Gate where crossing the road has become a nightmare for the pedestrians leading to high rate of accidents. In addition, a number of underpasses have been identified to ease traffic congestion across the city.

The planners are already undertaking a study on how to go about the planning for urban infrastructure in anticipation of the Commonwealth Games. Another 20 sites have been identified for flyover construction over the next three to four years.

Also, it has been decided that landscaping and beautification of the entire stretch of Ring Road would be handed over to the private sector. Plans have already been drawn upon for replacing the present street furniture with world standard equipment. Plans are also being drawn up for restoration of the façade of heritage buildings across the Capital to attract foreign tourists. All the civic agencies are being asked to work out plans for construction of multi-level parking system.

The holding Commonwealth Games would also entail expenditure for construction of new stadia as well upgradation of the present ones.

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