New Delhi: The BJP govt is pressing ahead with its road strengthening initiative covering 150km of city streets, with plans to extend the project to 250km ahead of the monsoon season. PWD has either fully restored several important carriageways that had deteriorated or are finishing the repair work.
Among the major roads in South Delhi that have either been re-laid or are on the way to repairs being completed are a 6.8km section of Mehrauli Mahipalpur Road from Andheria More to NH-48. Other roads where work is in progress include an 11.3km stretch from Rao Laxmi Chand Marg and a 4km portion of Ring Road from Ashram to Bhairon Road T-point.
A PWD official said that work is close to completion on some major segments like the 3.9km from Modi Mill to Chirag Dilli of Outer Ring Road and from Ravidass Marg to the underpass on Okhla Estate Marg.
Similarly, Noida Link Road, which was in a bad state for some years with potholes at several points near Akshardham Flyover, has been re-laid. The eroded road surface was a hazard to road users, with two-wheeler riders facing the greatest risks due to the uneven asphalt surface.
Officials said that work on around 50km of road length in south Delhi has been finished. This included the strengthening of Mehrauli-Mahipalpur Bypass Road and Pusa Road. Work is in the final stage on another 47km, including Mathura Road-Kalindi Kunj, Guru Ravidass Marg and Chirag Delhi flyover to IIT flyover. Similarly, in north and west Delhi, restoration work is under way along 40 km with deadlines of May and June for most of them. Some were finished by April, like sections on NH10 and at Khanjawala Chowk.
In north Delhi, 8.5km of Rohtak Road and 3.5km of Outer Ring Road to Burari flyover are being revamped. In east Delhi, work is near completion on 15 stretches totalling 22km, including the 2.2km on Vikas Marg near ITO that was in a decrepit state for years. Officials said that most of the remaining work would be completed before the end of June. Other important stretches are the Delhi section of Noida Link Road, Chilla Road and Dallupura Road.
PWD minister Parvesh Verma said, “We have a fresh target of repairing 250km of arterial roads before the monsoon. PWD is working on a war footing to ensure the convenience of commuters and pedestrians.” He added, “We have set the target to ensure that the problem of waterlogging does not recur.”
A PWD official added, “We are working on roads where the restoration can be completed before the monsoon. After the rainy season, the other roads would be taken up. The life of a road is generally five to seven years. All the roads that are more than five years old will be tested, and if required, they would be re-laid. During the monsoon, we will carry out the testing, tender processes, sanctioning of funds and other bureaucratic requirements so that the work can start immediately after the rains.”
