Civic bodies start beautifying open spaces under flyovers
Taking cue from the ‘under flyover garden’ in Mumbai’s Matunga, Delhi’s civic authorities have started developing similar spaces in the city too.
A flyover facing Munirka village and another at August Kranti Road, Andrews Ganj, have been spruced up and developed into parks.
The South Delhi Municipal Corporation took eight days to clear the rubble and clean the area under the Andrews Ganj flyover and transform it into a welllit space with sculptures depicting yoga postures.
“The place named ‘Yoga Mudra Sthal’ has been inspired from the Matunga park. We have installed colourful lights to illuminate the sculptures at night,” said Puneet Goel, SDMC commissioner.
The municipal agency removed unauthorised parking under the Munirka flyover and debris in two-and-a-half months after which the public works departments developed the place into a park.
It has jogging tracks for morning walkers and doors and fences for safety.
In east Delhi, spaces under flyovers have become vending spots, debris dumping sites or a haven for antisocials and the agencies are working to beautify them.
On lieutenant governor Anil Baijal’s direction, the East Delhi Municipal Corporation has drawn an action plan to remove encroachments and clean these spaces in the next month.
The civic agency has joined hands with the PWD for plantation, fences, benches and other facilities.
“Though the maintenance of these flyovers is PWD’s responsibility, we have been issued directions by the L-G to carry an intensive drive for cleaning and repairing,” said senior EDMC official.
In east Delhi, there are 19 flyovers and all of them belong to the PWD.
“We found unauthorised parking /encroachments at seven places while debris was lying at four places. We arranged for removing the debris but to clear encroachments we need the help of police,” said Yogendra Singh Mann, spokesperson, EDMC.