LG gives nod to build 29 km-long North-South corridor

Commuting between Wazirabad and IGI Airport would soon become smooth, with Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal directing concerned authorities to approve the 29 km-long North-South signal-free corridor at the earliest.

According to Public Works Department Minister Satyendar Jain, department officials on Tuesday made a representation before the LG and asked the Unified Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure (Planning & Engineering) Centre (UTTIPEC) to clear the project as soon as possible.

"We made a presentation on the project before the LG, who took a keen interest and directed UTTIPEC to approve the project at the earliest," Jain told media persons after a meeting with Baijal and other PWD officials.

He said the project was awaiting approval for about a year and a half. Jain said that once approved by UTTIPEC, the project will be completed in three and a half years.

The signal-free corridor comprises 28.6 km of elevated six-laned road and a six km tunnel between Zakhira and Pankha Road in West Delhi.

The corridor will start from the Signature Bridge in Wazirabad and end at Urban Extension Road II, near IGI Airport via Zakhira, Pankha Road, Nalah Road, and Dwarka.

Jain said the project would reduce travel time between north Delhi and the airport.

"It takes around three hours to reach the airport from Wazirabad. Once this corridor is completed, the time will be reduced to 30 minutes," Jain said.

"Normally, such big projects take six to seven years to complete... the estimated cost of this project is Rs 6,000 crore. Per km cost for the elevated road is expected to be around Rs 150 crore, while the cost of underground construction is likely to be Rs 450 crore," the Minister stated. The Delhi government will also operate a high-speed electric bus service on the corridor, Jain said.