NEW DELHI: In an attempt to decongest entry into the Capital, the Public Works Department of the Delhi Government has decided to construct flyovers, grade separators and strengthen roads along all the entry points on the national highways leading to the city from neighbouring States, it was announced by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Tuesday.

Ms. Dikshit was laying the foundation stone of the new Mukarba Chowk flyover and grade separator at the G.T. Karnal Road-Outer Ring Road crossing. Among those present on the occasion were PWD Minister A. K. Walia, Industry Minister Mangat Ram Singhal, the Member of Parliament from East Delhi, Sandeep Dikshit, and the Jehangirpuri MLA, Jile Singh Chauhan.

Ms. Dikshit said that with the commissioning of 25 new flyovers during the next three years, a pleasant facelift would be provided to Delhi. The entire stretch of Ring Road and Outer Ring Road would be made signal-free along with beautification of all entry points along the national highways. Expressing confidence that the Rs.195-crore Mukarba Chowk flyover project would be commissioned within the next two years, Ms. Dikshit said it would provide major relief to not only people in Delhi but also those coming from other parts of North India. The new flyover would provide facilities for pedestrians and physically challenged persons. It will have four slip roads and four cloverleaf curves to make the crossing signal-free. The work on this project would be taken up in three phases to facilitate a smooth flow of traffic during the construction period.

Dr. Walia announced that in the first phase, construction of slip roads and loop roads would be completed. In the second phase the approaches of both sides of the flyover would be constructed by diverting the traffic on slip roads. In the third phase, the central span of the main flyover would be completed.

The total length of the flyover will be 5,276 metres, including a 576-metre four-lane carriageway, four 216-metre three-lane slip roads, four 174-metre two-lane cloverleaves and 800-metre four-lane carriageway grade separators. It will also have a 4,000-metre-long footpath and 2,250 metres of bicycle-track. The flyover will also have a 218-metre steel structure in the middle.

Dr. Walia said the Government was aware of the difficulties of pedestrians and had decided to commission a number of foot-over-bridges with escalators in different parts of the city. He said a time schedule for construction of flyovers had already been publicised under which all the flyovers would be ready within the next three years. The entire 51-km Ring Road is being widened to make for eight lanes from the present six lanes. He called upon people to render constructive cooperation in maintenance of the infrastructure in Delhi, "which is bound to become a world-class city in near future".

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