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3 Years on, Two Flyovers Still Stuck in Red Tape

  • MCD had launched two ambitious projects - Rani Jhansi and Pankha Road flyovers - with much fanfare. Three years later, these projects are nowhere near completion. The civic agency, however, prefers to pass the buck and says work was stalled due to external delays.The foundation of Rani Jhansi flyover - from Filmistan Cinema to St Stephen's Hospital - was laid in November 2008 and work was to be completed last year. But officials say it would take at least another year for the flyover to be completed. Till now, only 19 pillars have been constructed of the 39 pillars to be set up. "About 12,300sqm land housing a railway colony has also to be transferred to MCD. To relocate the colony MCD needs land for which we approached DMRC. Once the land is transferred, work will pick up pace. Also, over 150 shops at Azad Market have to be relocated, but it is the Delhi government that has to arrange for an alternate site," said Jagdish Mamgain, chairman, MCD works committee.

  • The project was pegged at Rs 177 crore, but the cost escalated to Rs 210 crore due to the delays. Raw materials such as RE wall have been lying at the work site for over a year now.The flyover will be 1.8km long and straddle Rani Jhansi Road, Bara Hindu Rao Road, DCM Chowk, Azad Market and Baraf Khana Chowk before touching down at St Stephen's Hospital."We will take up the issue with the Delhi government as there is no delay from our side, but due to other civic agencies involved in the project," said MCD standing committee chairman, Y Chandolia.

  • The flyover at Pankha Road in Dabri, with ongoing construction at a cost of Rs 109 crore, has also been delayed. The project, started in 2009, was scheduled for completion by September 2011. "The project got delayed as there was a Delhi Jal Board pipeline and high tension wires that had to be relocated. A market in the area had to be shifted and there was delay in acquiring land. Also, traders launched protests. Work could only be started after land was allotted to them. About 50% work is complete and by September the flyover will be operational," said an MCD official.The Pankha Road flyover, connecting areas in west and southwest Delhi, will benefit residents of Janakpuri, Palam, Dwarka and Uttam Nagar. "For three years, work carried on at a snail's pace. The main Dabri road has been narrowed because of the construction work and it leads to traffic jams during peak hours," said I K Gupta, a resident of Janakpuri.

  • Rani Jhansi flyover

    Length: 1.8km

    Work started: Nov'08

    Initial Deadline: Early 2011

    New deadline: early 2013

    Estimated cost: Rs 177cr

    Revised cost: Rs 210cr

    Cause of delay: Land yet to be transferred from railways and 150 shops at Azad Market to be relocated

  • Pankha Road flyover

    Length: 1.5km

    Estimated cost: Rs 109cr

    Work started: 2009

    Initial deadline: Sept'11

    New deadline: Sept'12

    Cause of delay: Relocation of high tension wires, a DJB pipeline and a market

Source