PWD fast-tracks outer ring road project
LUCKNOW : The Public Works Department (PWD) has fasttracked the prestigious Lucknow outer ring road project following necessary clearances given by the army authorities.
The 105 kilometre project to decongest Lucknow has been planned as a joint venture between the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and UP PWD. While the NHAI would develop 94 kilometre stretch, the PWD has been tasked to build the remaining 11 km part of the outer ring road. “Now that we have obtained the necessary sanctions from the army authorities, we have set revised timelines for the 11 km stretch that we have to develop with the help of the district administration,” said special secretary, PWD Rajshekhar.
THE RING ROAD WILL CONNECT FIVE NATIONAL HIGHWAYS, SIX STATE HIGHWAYS AND 104 VILLAGES TO THE STATE CAPITAL
While NHAI has already commenced work near Matiyari Bridge on Deva Road under phase-1 of the project, the PWD too intends to start construction work in the next few months.
Union home minister Raj Nath Singh, who represents Lucknow Lok Sabha, had set a three-year completion deadline when he had inspected work in January this year. The revised time frame set by the PWD for its various stretches under the 11 km target, according to Rajshekhar, is as follows:
1) Kukrail Bridge: December 2018. 2) Pipraghat: June 2018. 3) Telibagh Road widening : March 2019. 4) Gomti Barrage to ring road (six lane): March 2019. 5) Khurram Nagar to CIMAP widening: March 2019.
The ring road will connect five national highways, six state highways and 104 villages to the state capital. It will also link Rae Bareli Road, Sultanpur Road and Kanpur Road and Lucknow-Agra Expressway on the outskirts of the city. The road project was conceived by NHAI and union road transport ministry in 2015 and tender process was completed in 2016. The construction work of the stretch, known as Kisan Path, was to be completed by 2018, but NHAI officials admit that it may be delayed now. “These are just teething troubles. Projects of such magnitude take time to roll out because of finalization of work tenders and land acquisition related issues,” said an official speaking on condition of anonymity.
The project envisages construction of four big overbridges, 42 small overbridges, five railway overbridges, eight flyovers, 26 underpasses for vehicles, three underpasses for pedestrians and two interchange roads. The original proposed length of the outer ring road was 188-km. But with the land compensation prices being revised several-fold under the new Land Acquisition Act, the length was pruned to 104 km.
While the land for the 80 km stretch would be acquired by the centre, the remaining 24-km would be provided by the UP government. Once ready, the outer ring road is expected to reduce congestion and to accelerate urban growth by offering an alternate transport route connecting the periphery of the city.