Barapullah Elevated Road Phase-II unlikely to start before 2013

“Carrying out such detailed studies is likely to take more than a year. In fact,we might have to hire consultants for this,and may take time due to the need for clearance from the government. If the preliminary estimate had been approved by the government by now,the work could have started early next year,” an official said.

The preliminary estimate for this phase of the project was sent back to the PWD by the government around 10 days ago. “We have been asked to make a accurate and detailed proposal,and carry out all the investigations before submission of estimates,” the official said. The tenders for this phase of the project will be floated only after the estimates have been sanctioned.

At present,the Barapullah Elevated Road starts near Sarai Kale Khan and ends at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. It was constructed over a period of 20 months. “During the Games,construction work and technical investigations were taken up side-by-side. But that mode of functioning was discontinued after questions were raised by Comptroller and Auditor General and the Shunglu Committee over the Commonwealth Games infrastructure projects. The government has listed steps that will have to be followed for drawing up even preliminary estimates. This is going to delay other infrastructure projects too,’’ the official clarified.

Under Phase-II,the road will be made elevated from the Bhishm Pitamah Marg parking,near INA Market,and will ensure signal-free movement of traffic till AIIMS. “Also,more slip roads will be constructed,so people can enter and exit the elevated road from any side,” he added.

Two slip roads are currently being constructed on Lala Lajpat Rai Marg,which will help commuters access the road from Moolchand and move from Lala Lajpat Rai Marg towards Sarai Kale Khan. The construction of these slip roads have missed several deadlines already.

While one of the two slip roads to be constructed on this stretch under Phase-II will ensure traffic movement from the direction of JLN Stadium to Lala Lajpat Rai Marg,the other will cater to traffic moving towards Oberoi Hotel. “Under Phase-III of this project,which has also been proposed,the elevated road will be extended from Sarai Kale Khan to Mayur Vihar,’’ an official said.