Potholes to smooth rides: BJP govt’s 100-day push to fix Delhi roads

The Public Works Department (PWD) initially drew up a plan that involved repairing and redeveloping 100 km of roads — and 25 stretches were selected as part of this. After Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh took charge, he directed the PWD to increase the target to 250 km of roads and repair them before the monsoon.

As the government completes 100 days in power on Saturday, a senior PWD official shared a status update: “The 25 road stretches were targeted to be completed in three parts in a phased manner… by May 31. Work has been completed on 66 km. Work on the remaining stretches has been awarded and is in progress.”

As for the remaining portion, government data shows:

– Over 95% of work has been completed on 114 km of roads.

– Estimates have been approved for 25 km of roads.

– No work required on 16 km.

– Sanction is awaited for the remaining stretches.

“The target to complete work on the 114 km road stretches is June 15… as of now, more than 95% of work has been completed. The PWD has been repairing these roads around midnight to avoid disruption of peak traffic… Work is in full swing and will be completed in the next three-four days,” said a senior PWD official.

To be sure, the BJP government, since its formation in Delhi, has been working in harmony with the L-G and the Centre. When it was in power, the AAP had claimed that the L-G and the Centre were disrupting its work.

On the ground

Key roads such as Akshardham Flyover; Noida Link Road; Vikas Marg (Delhi Sachivalaya to ITO Chungi); Ring Road from Bhairon Marg to Ashram; Africa Avenue to Chirag Dilli, and Panchsheel Enclave are among the 25 stretches chosen for repairs.

The Indian Express had visited some of these roads last year and found them in a poor state.

Now, these roads have undergone a visible change.

– A 4-km-long stretch from Akshardham flyover sports a new bituminous layer; the central verges have been cleaned.

– The Bhairon Marg stretch to Ashram, one of the busiest roads that connects Central and Southeast Delhi, was dilapidated. It has been repaired.

– Similarly, Vikas Marg, where the PWD’s headquarters and Delhi Secretariat are located, sported several potholes. This, too, has been repaired.

– The signal-free stretch of the Outer Ring Road, from Modi Mill flyover to IIT flyover, was another stretch in dire need of repairs. This has been fixed.

– A key stretch of the Ring Road (B-Avenue Flyover and Hyatt Flyover) where Bhikaji Cama Place and two major hospitals — AIIMS and Safdarjung — are located was in bad condition. This road has been repaired.

– The Africa Avenue stretch from R K Puram Metro station was in poor shape. This has been revamped.

What remains

As part of its 100-day plan, the PWD planned to complete the Barapullah Phase III project. But, officials said, work is stuck as permission to cut trees is awaited. Around 89% of the work on this stretch is done; for the remaining part, the department needs permission from the forest department to remove 200 trees.

“We are hopeful that the required approvals from the forest department will be received soon, allowing the final phase of construction to commence,” PWD Minister Singh had said last month, adding that the target is to complete the stretch by December end.

Drain desilting work, which was to be completed by May 31, is yet to be finished. The PWD manages 1,400 km of road stretches and 2,400 km of drains; more than 60% of desilting work has been done across 800 km of drains. Officials claimed it will be completed before June 15.

As per the Irrigation and Flood Control department, which has 77 drains under its jurisdiction including major drains like Najafgarh and Barapullah, it has removed 66.81% of silt.