Seepage, waterlogging: Within two years of inauguration, cracks are showing at Pragati Maidan tunnel

Last week, The Indian Express walked through “Delhi’s widest tunnel” from the Sarai Kale Khan-Ring Road section, leading towards India Gate — one of the main entrances. Here’s what it found:

Within 40-50 metres, water could be seen leaking from the concrete blocks, side walls, kerbstones, surface, and ceiling.

Visible drainage blocks and waterlogging were witnessed at several locations.

The surface of the tunnel was broken at multiple points, with water stagnating inside cracks and potholes.

The walls with murals depicting seasons of the year, too, have been damaged — the bright orange, red, green, and yellow paintings have faded and turned dirt black due to dampness and seepage.

Constructed using the “box-pushing method” — an engineering technique that allows giant cement boxes to be pushed under the earth — the tunnel had various points where the box joints had developed massive breaks, causing water leakage.

Various cross-drain points and saucer drains were also found damaged, leading to further leakage, potholes, and cracks.

The tunnel is riddled with cracks, waterlogging and seepage. The walls, which had murals depicting seasons of the year, too have been damaged. (Express Photo by Gajendra Yadav)

The entry point of the tunnel on Mathura Road, which starts near Bharat Mandapam gate no 6 and 7, was closed. Inside, large cracks could be seen on the roof through which water was dripping. A guard posted at the site said the entrance has been closed for weeks now and is under maintenance.

Repairs underway

Meanwhile, a group of workers were seen cleaning the artwork and covering the seepage with a fresh coat of paint. A contractor at the site said, “A month ago, when they (the department and construction firm) approached us for painting work, we asked them to repair the seepage and carry out grouting so that the paintings could stay. But they did not pay heed and asked us to just paint. So, we are doing what we have been paid for. This painting won’t last long if the leakage does not stop.”

A senior PWD official, when asked about the leakage, said, “Earlier, we thought it was due to a fault in the drainage system… but recently, it has been observed that water is also dripping from the roof. This is unusual… The civil division of the PWD and L&T are working to identify why this is happening… Cement and concrete waste have been found lying near drainage… it may not look like a garbage dump but cement can block water movement…”

Senior officials said it was recently found that the water dripping inside the tunnel, at several points, was not smelly, suggesting it could be drinking water. “… there must be a leakage somewhere of a water pipe passing through this stretch… the department and L&T are working on identifying the key issue and a solution on how to fix it…,” said another official.

The frequent water leakage not only damaged roads and hindered traffic movement but also led to massive waterlogging last monsoon season, when the tunnel was inundated and closed for nearly a month.

Asked why the tunnel is still open to the public, despite the PWD deeming it unsafe, an official, on condition of anonymity, said, “For four-wheelers, the stretch is not that dangerous, but two-wheeler users should avoid using the tunnel. The concrete block is broken at several locations and is also wet… a slight mistake by a speeding two-wheeler could have dangerous consequences…”

Emphasising that there is little chance of a collapse as the structure is made of “strong concrete blocks”, the official said it “definitely needs repair and proper maintenance”, which the department and contractors are working on.

On the drainage problem, the official said, “It is also arising because of the differences with the one at the Pragati Maidan Convention Centre… both were constructed by different agencies. If any problem is found in the synchronisation of the drainage system between the corridor and convention centre, it will be rectified.”

The PWD also stated that because of the “unexplained seepage”, the drain had to be “cut at several places to drain the water out.”

On the ITO side, paintings and artwork made of steel have been cut and stolen, prompting authorities to hire more security guards.

The corridor provides connectivity to commuters travelling towards Sarai Kale Khan, India Gate, Pragati Maidan, ITO, Akshardham, Noida, Ghaziabad, and South Delhi via Mathura Road. It also has a loop that connects with the basement parking of the Pragati Maidan ITPO, which is yet to be opened.

How do the underpasses fare?

The Indian Express also visited the six underpasses — four on Mathura Road, one on Ring Road and one at the intersection of Ring Road and Bhairon Marg — built as part of the Integrated Transit Corridor Redevelopment Plan of the Pragati Maidan area.

Of the four underpasses, three had minor cracks on the walls and the surface. However, the underpass that provides connectivity to the Supreme Court was found in poor condition, thanks to water leakage and cracks in the walls. This is the same underpass that got flooded within days of its inauguration.

Underpass 6, on Bhairon Marg near Pragati Maidan Gate number 4 and near the giant fountain, was also found in poor condition due to waterlogging — this lane has been closed.

Underpass number 5 on Bhairon Marg-Ring Road is yet to be opened as construction work is delayed. Since it comes under a busy railway track, officials said work is carried out only after permission from the Railways — when trains are not plying.

Water leakage at Pragati Maidan Tunnel in New Delhi on Tuesday. (Express photo by Gajendra Yadav)

In its notice to L&T, PWD noted that this underpass not only missed the deadline but also encountered “serious design issues and technical hurdles”. “The tunnel below the railway track… was also to be completed on a stipulated date along with remaining parts of the project… However, this remains to be completed even till date due to your inaction, faulty design and insufficient use of the equipment…,” the PWD said in the notice.

When contacted, the Delhi government said it was deeply concerned about the reported condition of the Pragati Maidan tunnel corridor. “The safety and well-being of our citizens are of utmost priority, and any shortcomings in infrastructure maintenance are unacceptable,” it said.

“While the project is funded by the central government, the PWD and ministers concerned have been actively monitoring the situation,” it added.

The Delhi government said legal action will be initiated against “the contractor” if it does not deposit Rs 500 crore.

L&T, meanwhile, did not respond to requests for a comment. In response, an L&T spokesperson had said earlier: “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.”

According to a transport expert, theissue may lie in the construction or design. “Construction work may have gone wrong… The designs also need to be checked… The design and construction material need to be audited. There is also a need to identify the techniques used for construction,” said PK Sarkar, former professor and head of transport planning at School of Planning and Architecture.