Govt eyes private players to beautify city flyovers

To change this,the Delhi government has now decided to upgrade the look of the flyovers by hiring private consultants and firms to spruce them up and look aesthetically pleasant.

The Public Works Department (PWD) of the government,which handles maintenance of these flyovers on a Build-Operate-Transfer basis,has invited expressions of interest from architecture firms and individual consultants to beautify the landscape in areas around and under the flyovers. Officials said while the PWD generally hires private consultants for the basic design of a flyover or a bridge,there is little attention paid to aesthetics of the structure’s design.

PWD Secretary K K Sharma said the new project involves landscaping,beautifying and upgrading the overall look of a flyover. “We have some very old flyovers in the city that need an aesthetic uplift,which is why we have decided to rope in private firms and individuals to beautify them,” Sharma told Newsline.

Sharma added that the bids would be opened on February 4.

Delhi has 40-odd flyovers at present,and another 25 would be functional by the time the Commonwealth Games kick off on October 3. According to PWD officials,among flyovers to be spruced up are the ones at Dhaula Kuan,Vikas Marg,Punjabi Bagh,Ashram,and Nehru Place.

Besides enhancing the look,the firms have also been asked to submit designs incorporating provisions for allotting advertising space in line with guidelines framed by the municipal authorities. The firms have also been asked to come up with innovative ideas on provisions for watering plants,recycling water,and even look at the possibility of installing public art on these flyovers. The PWD has asked the bidding firms to allot separate space to innovatively display social messages.

As per the expressions of interest invited,the flyovers will be landscaped and beautified by the selected firms and individuals at their own cost. These firms will be responsible for the upkeep and cleanliness of the flyovers concerned and also provide security personnel to safeguard installations that will be built as part of the approved design.

The firm will be given advertising rights over a limited space.

Work on beautification and landscaping of the project will be given on a Build-Operate-Transfer basis for 10 years,officials said.

Last year,DUAC had pulled up the government for the sprout-like steel structures installed around the AIIMS flyover by Jindal Steel. Though DUAC did not clear the idea,PWD spent Rs 4 crore on the flyover’s landscaping.

On the agenda
Delhi has 40-odd flyovers — another 25 to be functional by Oct 3,when Commonwealth Games start
* Among flyovers to be spruced up are the ones at Dhaula Kuan,Vikas Marg,Punjabi Bagh,Ashram,and Nehru Place
* Flyovers to be landscaped and beautified
* Firms asked to submit designs with provisions for allotting ad space as per municipal guidelines
* Firms asked to develop innovative ideas on provisions for watering plants,recycling water,and possibility of installing public art
* Bidding firms asked to allot separate space to innovatively display social messages