Expenditure Finance Committee approves several flyover projects

NEW DELHI: In a bid to decongest the Trans-Yamuna Shastri Park Intersection and Seelampur, the Delhi government's Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) on Wednesday approved the construction of a flyover (six lane-two-way) at Shastri Park Junction and another (two one-way) at Seelampur Chowk.

Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Satyender Jain briefed the media after the EFC meeting at Delhi Secretariat. The projects are estimated to cost Rs 303.31 crore.

"The construction of these flyovers will facilitate the signal-free corridor from ISBST, Kashmere Gate to Shahdara and the heavy traffic coming or going Khajuri Chowk will be eased," said Jain

The minister added that these projects will reduce travel time by 45 minutes and will save 13,802 man-hours each day, equivalent to saving Rs 14 lakh per day.

Jain said the proposal to double the existing flyover at Seelampur and a two-carriageway flyover at Shastri Park were required as congestion at these points was affecting traffic movement on GT Road.

Other projects approved in Wednesday's meeting include the improvement of corridors in Najafgarh and Sarita Vihar, among other areas.

At the EFC meeting, two half underpasses and one subway on Outer Ring Road between Gopalpur Red Light and Jagatpur Bridge were also approved, at an estimated cost of Rs 38.17 crore.

The Committee observed that in order to have signal-free corridor between Mukarba Chowk and Wazirabad, the signal at Gopalpur crossing has been closed, due to which the local residents have to traverse about four-five km for taking a U-turn.

In this regard, construction of two half-underpasses (two lane) have been

approved, which will facilitate commuters in taking U-turn for local traffic and safe traffic movement across ORR (Outer Ring Road).

Similarly, approval to one pedestrian subway has been provided for pedestrians crossing across the ORR.

The expected date of completion of these projects is December 2019.