Plan of new elevated corridor: After the formation of the BJP government in Delhi, many projects are being faster to solve the problem of traffic jam in the capital. The Delhi government is planning to build a new corridor in collaboration with the Center. NHAI will construct an elevated corridor between INA and Nelson Mandela Marg in Vasantkunj. The project was proposed four years ago with the objective of reducing traffic on Ring Road. A tunnel will also be constructed between Nelson Mandela Marg and Shiv Murthy Interchange, which will provide a direct route to Indira Gandhi Airport. Vehicles coming from East and South Delhi will be able to reach the airport without any hindrance. The Delhi government and the Ministry of Urban Affairs will fund this project.
Waiting for PIB approval
This 14 km long elevated corridor will pass through the new government residential and commercial areas along the ring road. It was approved by Unified Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure (Planning and Engineering) Center in July 2021. CPWD was entrusted with the task of preparing DPR and completing the project. However, the project has not received the approval of the Public Investment Board (PIB). Approval of PIB is necessary before cabinet approval.
Discussion in PMO on Delhi traffic
Earlier this month, a meeting was held in the PMO to reduce traffic jams on the streets of Delhi. In this meeting, officials of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways suggested that NHAI could construct the project. NHAI has a good experience of creating large road projects. Central Road Transport Secretary V. Umashankar held another meeting, in which NHAI, Delhi Government and NBCC officials attended. NBCC is redeveloping government residential and commercial complexes.
Construction will be done at a cost of 4500 crores
NHAI will make a new plan based on DPR prepared by CPWD. According to earlier estimates, the cost of this project will be around Rs 4,500 crore. Given the ground condition, some tunnels can also be included in it. The cost can be estimated correctly only after the final DPR. The government is planning to complete the project as soon as possible, which has been halted for almost four years.
According to Delhi PWD, about 1.3 lakh vehicles pass through the AIIMS crossing every day. About 3.3 lakh vehicles run daily between Bhikaji Cama flyover. Officials say that if the project is further delayed, the problem will increase further. Most of the day of the day is jammed on this route. Recently, traffic is scheduled to increase due to increasing number of government employees in the recently redevened Sarojini Nagar Residential Complex and Naoroji Municipal Complex. NHAI Nelson will also consider the possibility of making elevated road from Mandela Marg to Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road.
