PWD to chalk out comprehensive traffic congestion plan for nxt 25 yr

New Delhi, Apr 5 (UNI) Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today said Public Works Department is preparing a comprehensive traffic decongestion plan keeping in view estimated quantum of traffic during the next 25 years.

She was speaking in a function after dedicating two flyovers to the people of the city via video conferencing from Delhi Secretariat.

Ms Dikshit said her government was committed to face the challenges arising as Delhi was to host the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

She expressed confidence that PWD will complete construction of all planned flyovers prior to commencement of the games. She asked the PWD to adopt advanced techniques for construction and maintenance of flyovers and other important projects.

While complimenting the department on its 'road map', she exhorted it to further improve its quality.

Appreciating the functioning of PWD, which has achieved excellence similar to Delhi Metro, the chief minister asked the department to decongest entry points of the capital.

Commenting on the unexpected increase in vehicles in Delhi, she said PWD would be left with one alternative, that was to construct flyovers over the existing flyovers in time to come.

The two new flyovers at Ring Road at Punjabi Bagh Intersection and at Moti Nagar Crossing had been constructed at a cost of Rs 20 crore within a record period of 10 months. The flyovers with three-lane signal carriageway with length of 450 m each were joint-less and seismic resistant.

Delhi Urban Development, PWD and Finance Minister A K Walia presided over the function. Speaking on the occasion, he disclosed that six more flyovers were required to make the entire Ring Road signal free, out of which work was in progress in case of two flyovers and rest four were at different stages.

PWD will also make outer Ring Road signal-free, he said.

It was working fast to widen the Ring Road, which would be made six to eight lane within six months. National Highways within Delhi were also being widened and strengthened, Dr Walia added.

Delhi government was keen to provide safe passage to pedestrians at Ring Road by commissioning foot over-bridges with modern escalators, Dr Walia said.

Apart from this, PWD will also concentrate on containing noise pollution on the roads, he added.

Outer Delhi MP Sajjan Kumar while appreciating efforts of the department complimented seven-year tenure of the government that has brought unprecedented development under Chief Ministership of Ms Dikshit.

He expressed confidence that the new flyovers will help in de-congestion of the Ring Road apart from containing air pollution.

Local MLA Malaram Gangwal, Secretary (PWD) Rakesh Mohan, PWD Engineer-in-Chief R Subramanyam and PWD Chief Engineer B K Chugh were also present at the function.

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