• Source:JND
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Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Parvesh Verma announced on Wednesday that the remaining civil work for the 3.5 km-long Phase III of the Barapullah elevated road project, connecting east and south Delhi, could begin soon, with the corridor potentially opening by December. This follows a recent inspection by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC).

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The project, which has been underway for nearly 10 years, was initially delayed due to the government needing to acquire two land parcels on the Yamuna floodplain from private owners. Officials noted that a final obstacle involved 274 trees located along the 3.5 km elevated road stretch between Sarai Kale Khan on the west bank of the Yamuna and Mayur Vihar on the east. Approval to fell these trees has been pending with the forest department for more than two years.

Verma stated that the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) inspected the project site and the trees on June 21. A hearing is scheduled for June 27, during which the Public Works Department (PWD) is hopeful of receiving permission to cut and translocate the trees.

"Once we get the permission, the remaining portion of the elevated road will be built within five months or so. We hope to complete it and open for traffic by Dec this year," Verma said, according to the TOI report. He added that two stretches, measuring 400 metres and 290 metres respectively, totaling 690 metres, are still pending construction.

About Barapullah Elevated Road

Work on the 3.5 km-long Barapullah elevated road, which was expected to reduce travel time between east and south Delhi to just 20 minutes, began in 2015. Initially slated for completion in 30 months, the project has faced repeated delays, primarily due to the prolonged acquisition of two small land parcels measuring 709.9 and 459.2 square metres, which were essential for constructing a 690-metre missing link.

It wasn't until July last year that the Delhi government's revenue department issued a land acquisition award to take over 1,169 square metres in Nangli Razapur village, finally clearing the path for construction. However, another hurdle soon emerged: the need to fell and transplant 274 fully grown trees along the alignment.

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Barapullah elevated Road Cost

Originally estimated to cost Rs 964 crore, the project's cost has now escalated to Rs 1,330 crore. Verma attributed the delays and cost overruns to the inefficiencies of the previous government. "Delhi paid the price, in both time and taxpayers' money," he said