Work begins on Delhi's 1st elevated road

New Delhi, Sep 21 (UNI) Delhi would have its first elevated road in April 2010, which would not only provide a dedicated corridor for movement of 10,000 players during Commonwealth Games but also become a permanent link between East Delhi and other parts of the city.

Laying the foundation stone of road over Barapullah Nallah from Sarai Kale Khan to JLN Stadium, to be commissioned within 18 months with an estimated cost of Rs 498 crore, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit described it as an important infrastructural project, which would provide a new recognition to the city and go a long way in making Delhi a world-class city.

Speaking at the function, where PWD Minister Raj Kumar Chauhan, number of MLAs and other eminent persons were present, Ms Dikshit said this 3.7 km long dual carriageway elevated road, three lanes each, from Sarai Kale Khan to Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium along Barapulla Nallah passing over four major crossings at Ring Road, Nizamuddin Railway Track, Mathura Road, and Lala Lajpat Rai Marg, would be completed before Commonwealth Games 2010.

''It is first project in the country involving construction of numbers of long span balanced cantilever bridges within a small stretch of four km. It would not only provide unobstructed view of heritage monuments from surface roads but would also provide a bird's eye view of Heritage Monuments of Nizamuddin area,''Ms Dikshit said.

She said the road was aimed to provide free-flow of traffic and to save valuable time of commuters for movement of traffic from eastern side of Delhi towards central and south Delhi.

Apart from this, it would 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.

Ms Dikshit said her government has instructed the PWD to execute all the infrastructural projects related to Commonwealth Games on a war-footing as the city-government is committed to provide required world-class infrastructure, which would also enhance image of the city, which is to be showcased during Games.

The government has also ensured uninterrupted power supply and water during the Games. The roads are being provided better signages.

The PWD has also created a separate maintenance division to ensure better upkeep, which would project a better and aesthetic look of the city, she added.

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