EFC clears two projects worth Rs 507 crore

New Delhi, Jul 31 (UNI) A proposal for construction of an elevated road from Sarai Kale Khan to Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium to facilitate movement of 10,000 players during the Commonwealth Games from the Games Village to the main venue-JLN Stadium was today cleared by the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) of the Delhi Government.

The proposal was among two projects, amounting to Rs 507 crore, cleared today in an EFC meeting presided over by Delhi Finance Minister A K Walia.

The proposals relate to the PWD and I and FC Department.

Briefing mediapersons after the meeting, Dr Walia said an elevated road over Barapullah Nallah starting from Sarai-Kale Khan to the Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium would be constructed to facilitate movement of 10,000 players during the Commonwealth Games from Games Village to main venue-JLN Stadium.

Dr Walia further stated that an amount of Rs 499 crore would be released for construction of an elevated road within 24 months after award of work.

He described this project as an important infrastructure, which would not only prove to be beneficial during the Commonwealth Games but also become a permanent link between East Delhi and Central Delhi.

''It is aimed to provide free-flow of traffic and save valuable time of commuters in the movement of traffic from eastern side of Delhi towards central and south Delhi. Further, it will also ease out traffic congestion on Ring Road at Ashram, on Mathura Road and other arterial roads.

''Increase in average travel speed will reduce fuel consumption, pollution and loss of man-hours and will also reduce the maintenance cost of road. It would serve as a dedicated corridor for movement of players,''Dr Walia said and expressed confidence that the elevated road would prove to be a marvelous piece of architecture in Delhi, which would come up within the shortest possible time as the city-government was keen to dedicate this project to the people of Delhi at the earliest.

It has been decided to regularly monitor the progress of work on this project.

The EFC has also agreed to sanction Rs 7.80 crore for part covering of an around 750 metre portion of Trunk Drain No.1 on right bank to facilitate widening of Road No 66 from Arterial Highway (Wazirabad- Gokulpuri Road) to GT Raod near SDM Office Seelampur.

It is aimed at easing the problem of traffic congestion in this portion. The work would be completed within 18 months.

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