NEW DELHI: With BJP’s infra-push upon returning to power in Delhi govt, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has begun preparing detailed project reports (DPRs) for three new roads that will connect upcoming expressways, aimed at reducing traffic congestion on arterial roads. Although the initial estimate for the cost of the three links was around Rs 9,100 crore, the exact cost will be determined after the finalisation of the DPRs.
Officials said the work plan and necessary fund allocation would be made after the DPRs. “We are hopeful of completing the DPRs in 6-7 months so that work can start in the near future. The exact alignment and configuration will be known after the DPRs are prepared,” said an official.
As per the plan, a new link road would be built (approx 20 km) connecting the Urban Extension Road-II (UER-II) via KMP expressway to the Delhi-Katra expressway. This will provide direct and seamless connectivity for vehicles coming from Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab to the Delhi-Mumbai expressway and IGI airport. The rough estimate for the project was around Rs 2,500 crore when seven BJP MPs from Delhi had submitted the proposals, just before the assembly elections.
The second project is a proposed 17-km link between UER-II (near Alipur) to Tronica City via UER-II near the under construction Delhi-Dehradun expressway. The new road will make the travel smooth for vehicles coming from Rajasthan and Haryana to Dehradun. “This will also reduce vehicle load on the Ring Road,” said an official.
This stretch will also provide connectivity for vehicles coming from Dehradun to IGI Airport via the UER-II and Dwarka Expressway. As per initial estimate, this road is likely to cut travel time by half, from 90 minutes to 45 minutes.
The third major project, which will work as a bypass for East Delhi, the govt will build a 35 km corridor connecting Delhi-Dehradun Expressway with Noida. This road will ensure non-stop travel to Noida for north, north-west, and south-west Delhi.
Officials said the new road projects are in the priority list of govt considering that the Centre had promised to take steps to decongest Delhi roads. However, they added that there is a need for comprehensive planning for mobility and not just focussing more on road and highway construction.
“It’s high time that we plan more mass transport systems connecting different parts of NCR as roads have a limit to accommodate a certain number of vehicles,” said one of them.
