Missed deadline, serious technical hurdles’: PWD to L&T on Bhairon Marg underpass

When The Indian Express visited the 110-metre-long underpass Tuesday, it found that only a 90-metre-long two-lane stretch was complete — which is towards the exit. The entry portion is incomplete as the box-pushing concrete is stuck.

The underpass has two carriageways — one for traffic coming from ITO towards Bhairon Marg and the other from Bhairon Marg to Sarai Kale Khan. “To reduce traffic, the PWD has decided to open the exit portion to facilitate commuters coming from ITO and going towards Sarai Kale Khan… Some work is going on on the railway track… once it is done, the lane will be opened. But the entry point, which is supposed to connect Bhairon Marg to Sarai Kale Khan, is stuck,” said an official present on site.

Meanwhile, the PWD, in its notice to L&T, said, “… the tunnel below the railway track and ramps of the underpass at Bhairon Marg-Ring Road intersection was also to be completed on a stipulated date along with remaining parts of the project… However, this remains to be completed even to date due to your inaction, faulty design, and insufficient use of the equipment…”

It also said the Railways had agreed to reduce the speed of trains to 20 km/hr and also stopped rail movement for up to six hours on various days to facilitate box-pushing under the tracks, but the “company miserably failed to complete the project on schedule”.
It further said, “… We are also seeking damages in the form of losses that the government had incurred due to inordinate delay and failure of constructing the tunnel despite being provided requisite facilities and assistance…”
On Monday, an L&T spokesperson had said in response to the notice: “PWD, Delhi, is an esteemed client and we value the long years of association we have enjoyed with them. However, L&T would like to state that a counterclaim of Rs 500 crore has been made by the company against PWD, Delhi.”

Leaks in tunnel, murals damaged

The Indian Express also visited the main tunnel and found that the surface, leaving aside a few metres, was wet due to a drainage leak. Further, the concrete cover of the drainage on the side was open at various points. Water was also seen dripping from the ceiling at several points. Due to the seepage, the artwork and murals on the walls were damaged. The concrete surface also sported large cracks and potholes.

Towards gate number 4 of Bharat Mandapam (underpass 4), which connects to the basement parking lot of the Pragati Maidan Exhibition Hall, the entry to the left lane was open, but the exit was barricaded with ‘no entry’ board. A major part of the stretch was inundated by ankle-deep water. This path also connects to the basement parking and the main tunnel.

The situation was similar at the underpass that provides a U-Turn towards the Supreme Court side — the carpeting towards the exit was peeling off. The other underpass on Mathura Road had cracks and leaks.