PWD to decongest all national highways at entry points to Delhi

New Delhi, Sep 26 (UNI) The Public Works Department today decided to decongest all national highways at entry points to Delhi from all neighbouring states by constructing flyovers/grade separators and widening and strengthening of roads in the capital in the near future.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said this while laying foundation of Mukarba Chowk flyover and grade separator at GT Karnal Road-Outer Ring Road crossing in Delhi.

Delhi PWD Minister A K Walia presided over the function, which was also addressed by Industry Minister Mangat Ram Singhal, local MP Sandeep Dikshit and MLA Jile Singh Chauhan.

Speaking on this occasion, Ms Dikshit said, ''there is going to be a pleasant facelift of Delhi with the commissioning of 24 new flyovers, signal-free Ring Road and Outer Ring Road and decongestion of all national highways at entry points to Delhi from its neighbouring states in couple of years to come.'' She expressed confidence that the PWD would be able to commission Mukarba Chowk Flyover within stipulated period of two years, which would provide much needed relief to the people coming from all Northern states.

The PWD would also take care of all traffic blocks near flyovers to completely overcome the problem of congestion on roads. The new flyover would provide the facilities for pedestrians, including physically challenged persons.

It would have four slip roads and four cloverleaves to make the crossing signal-free. The work on this project would be taken up in three phases to facilitate smooth flow of traffic during the construction period.

In the first phase, construction of slip roads and loop roads would be completed. In the second phase, construction of approaches of both sides of the flyover would be carried out by diverting the traffic on slip roads.

In the third phase, central span of the main flyover would be completed. The total length of flyover would be 5276 m including 576 m four lanes carriageway, 216 m three-lane four slip roads, 174 m two-lane four cloverleaves and 800 m four-lane carriageway grade separators. It would also have 4,000 m long footpath and 2,250 m cycle-track.

The flyover would also have 218 m steel structure in the middle.

It would have provision of two busbays, cycle track, subway for pedestrians, two lifts, two escalators, two staircases, two ramps, all public utilities and attractive landscaping and rainwater harvesting.

The project would cost Rs 195 crore. The landfilling sites near flyover would be developed as green area.

Ms Dikshit further said her government was aware of the difficulties of pedestrians and decided to commission number of Foot-Over-Bridges with escalators in different parts of the city.

She described development as a continuous process, which helped in providing employment to large number of people. Ms Dikshit added that Delhi continued to be an attractive city where large number of people from other states were coming to settle in search of employment and who never return to their native states.

Delhi had become used to facing though challenges. A challenge of relocation of industries was a difficult task which was implemented with cooperation of all concerned, she added.

Ms Dikshit said her government had been taking suitable measures for enhancing supply of power in Delhi. There was maximum power demand of 1900 MW in 1998, which had gone up to 4,000 MW today. Her government was prepared to meet demand of 6,000 MW power in years to come.

Delhi PWD Minister A K Walia declared that 24 new flyovers in Delhi would be commissioned before commencement of 2010 Commonwealth Games.

A time schedule of construction had already been publicised which stated that the flyovers would be ready by 2008. Entire 51 km Ring Road was being widened from six-lane to eight-lane, and only 16 km part remained to be widened.

He called upon people to render constructive cooperation in maintenance of infrastructure in Delhi, which was bound to become a world-class city in the near future.

Local MP Sandeep Dikshit while addressing the gathering described Sonia Vihar Water Treatment Plant and Wazirabad Signature Bridge two new mega developmental projects for the East Delhi.

He added, ''with the commissioning of new Wazirabad Bridge and Commonwealth Games Village the East Delhi would receive commendable recognition in the national capital.'' Delhi Industry Minister Mangat Ram Singhal said earlier governments in Delhi had not concentrated on developmental works whereas the government headed by Ms Dikshit had brought number of developmental schemes for the benefit the people.

He further said Delhi had become self-sufficient in water supply with the commissioning of Sonia Vihar Water Treatment Plant. Local MLA Jile Singh Chauhan also expressed his views on the occasion.

He disclosed that a 100 crore millennium park would come up near Mukarba Chowk Flyover.

He expressed his gratitude towards the chief minister for bringing Jahangirpuri on the map of Delhi Metro.

UNI IP SK DB1924