Underpass at Ashram gets financial nod

NEW DELHI: The expenditure finance committee (EFC) of the Delhi government on Thursday gave the approval for the construction of an underpass along Mathura Road at Ashram intersection — one of the busiest traffic crossings in the city.

If all goes well, the construction of the underpass will be completed in one and a half years, the public works department (PWD) officials, associated with the project, said. In October, Hindustan Times had reported that the project had been awaiting financial approval for two years.

Ashram intersection connects Mathura Road, NH-2 and the Ring Road (linking Lajpat Nagar-sarai Kale Khan and DND Flyover). During peak hours, massive jams are common on Mathura Road and Ashram flyover.

Traffic police data shows that around 3,00,000 vehicles cross the Ashram intersection every day. Vehicular traffic in the area shot up after the DND Flyway was made toll-free in 2016 and with the widening of NH-24 in June this year. Once the project is completed, it would benefit commuters taking the Ashram crossing.

Under the plan, PWD will construct a 750-metre-long underpass at Ashram crossing, between Nizamuddin railway overbridge and CSIR apartment, on Mathura Road.

Officials said the EFC meeting was headed by finance minister Manish Sisodia. PWD minister Satyendar Jain, along with other senior officials of the finance, planning and PWD, was also present at the meeting. “The EFC on Thursday approved the construction of an underpass at Ashram intersection at an estimated cost of ₹77.92 crore,” a government official said.

According to PWD officials, after getting t he financial approval, it would take at least one and a half years to construct the underpass. “After EFC’S approval, the proposal will be sent to the cabinet and then the tendering would begin. It will take around six months for planning and a year or more for construction,” a PWD official said.

The Unified Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure (Planning and Engineering) Centre (UTTIPEC) had approved the underpass in January 2016 and it was to be completed by March 2018. The project was delayed for want of financial approval.

Project was approved on January 13, 2016, but was stuck for two years over ‘procedural delays’

Tunnel was to be completed in March 2018, but it

was delayed over financial approval

Delhi govt issued financial clearance for the project on Thursday (November 29, 2018)