Skywalk at ITO delayed, may not open before May

It may take years to shift these underground utilities (wires and pipelines) completely. We may have to work underneath them but it is also difficult. Hopefully, it will be opened for the public in May.

PWD OFFICIAL

NEWDELHI: The project to build a skywalk to decongest one of Delhi’s busiest traffic junctions at ITO in central Delhi has been delayed by at least two months.

The Public Works Department (PWD) started construction work last year and set a deadline for March 2018. However, the officials now say that the 615-metre-long skywalk may not open before May this year.

At least 29,000 pedestrians cross the road at ITO every day. The skywalk will facilitate smooth movement of pedestrians, connecting Sikandra Road, Mathura Road, Tilak Marg and Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg with Pragati Maidan and ITO Metro stations and the Supreme Court.

Currently, there is one foot overbridge on Vikas Marg at ITO. Also, there is a subway at ITO Metro station which is also used by the pedestrians across Vikas Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg and the DDU Marg. There is no FOB or subway at Pragati Maidan Metro Station, exposing pedestrians to safety risks and causing traffic jams.

According to PWD officials, shifting 6-9 underground utilities (wires and pipelines) will take more time than anticipated.

“It may take years to shift these utilities completely. We may have to work underneath them but it is also difficult. We are trying to complete the project by April-end, and hopefully it will be opened for the public in May,” a PWD official said, requesting anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to media.

Lack of custom-made material for the bridge was also delaying the work. An official said 300mm wide pipes, to be used for the deck of the skywalk, were not available. Now, the authorities are getting the pipes made.

“Major portion of the foundation work is complete. The pipemaking firm will provide material to PWD by February 28 and once we get the pipes it won’t take long,” another PWD official said.

The estimated cost of the project is ₹54.34 crore. The skywalk will start from the Pragati Maidan Metro Station and will have four wings. One wing will exit at the Mathura Road bus stand while another will go under the Metro line and descend near the entry of the Tilak Bridge Railway Station.

The third wing will have two exits points, one near Bal Gangadhar Tilak statue on Tilak Marg and the other near Institute of Archaeology Building on Sikandra Road. The fourth section will be a ramp that will descend near Hanuman Temple at Bahadur Shah Zafar Road.

Under the project, an FOB will also be constructed on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg near Hans Bhawan.

The skywalk will have steel benches and stylish overhead canopies where kiosks for refreshments will be set up.