Metro construction leads to traffic congestion, commuters left in the lurch

Due to the slow pace of construction, Delhi Metro Phase III project in Trilokpuri area has made life miserable for commuters and locals alike. Huge potholes on roads, traffic diversions and regular congestions are a routine affair. 

There are several complaints that the ongoing construction of the new Metro line is mismanaged, leading to  traffic jams and has become very dangerous when one has to cross over the piles of unfenced construction materials lying on the roads. 

“We are forced to walk a kilometre extra due to the ongoing Metro work. The main road has been blocked which is headed to the nearest Metro station while the service lane has been narrowed and vehicles cannot use it. DMRC’s marshals supposedly deployed at these points to regulate traffic are hardly seen. Cars and motorcycles enter the service lane blocking it completely, leading to regular fights and altercations,” said Amit Sharma, a resident of Trilokpuri, 26 Block.

“Because of the construction work, the bus stand has been shifted. I live in the area and have to walk around 500 meters to reach my house because of the diversion,” said Arun Kumar, a local resident. 

<g data-gr-id="31">Similar</g> situation can be seen at Mayur Vihar Phase-1 to Trilokpuri site and Mayur Vihar Phase 2, East Vinod Nager, Modi Mill, Kalkaji and other parts of the city. 

According to sources, the land transfer process is running behind schedule by almost a year. 

It is further learnt that delay in clearances from various government and nodal agencies has led to the delay in the completion of the project. 

It was reported that communal twist has prevented Delhi Metro from relocating nearly 400 families at Trilokpuri. 

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has been struggling to occupy land at these locations since 2012, but in vain. 

This includes a patch of land that has been earmarked for <g data-gr-id="27">relocation</g> of 108 houses in Block 15, Trilokpuri, that will be affected by the construction of viaducts for the Mukundpur-Shiv Vihar route of Phase-III.