delhi

Updated: Mar 25, 2019 09:38 IST

Seven roads in Delhi, infamous for traffic jams, will be decongested and would bear a new look by 2020. The redesigning will be done under the Public Works Department’s (PWD) ambitious project of ‘redesigning and beautification’ of roads. Last month, the Delhi government approved seven of the nine important road stretches where work will begin after model code of conduct.

The stretches for which the government has given their approval are Vikas Marg from Laxmi Nagar Chungi to Karkari Mor, Ring Road from Mayapuri to Moti Bagh, Narwana Road from Mother Dairy to Punch Mahal, Road no 41 and 41A from Wazirpur Depot Crossing to Rithala Metro station, AIIMS to Ashram stretch of Ring Road, Britania Chowk to Outer Ring Road West Enclave and Shivdaspuri Road and Patel Road.

Last month, the Delhi government’s Expenditure and Finance Committee (EFC) sanctioned Rs 50.3 crore for the street-scaping of the stretch between AIIMS and Ashram crossing. While the state government is yet to sanction the budget for the other six roads, the PWD estimates at least Rs 200 crore as the expenditure for beautifying the other six stretches. PWD officials said that once work is completed at the seven stretches, there would be smoother movement for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.

The project was first announced by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and PWD minister Satyendar Jain in 2015. The PWD, which is helming the project, had sent files for approval of these stretches to the government in September last year. PWD officials said that nine road stretches were identified to be redeveloped but only seven had been approved so far. These roads will be beautified with the help of plants, street furniture, toilet blocks, solar-powered streetlights. There will also be a space for hawkers and pedestrians.

“Tenders for the allotment of the work are yet to be called. Bids will be invited only after the model code of conduct is over. We are hoping to complete the project by 2020,” a PWD official said.

For the redesigning of the Vikas Marg stretch, the PWD has estimated an expenditure of Rs 37 crore. Vikas Marg, which connects East and Central Delhi is one of the most busy and congested road stretches of the city. The entire road is punctuated by important market and residential areas of east Delhi such as Laxmi Nagar, Preet Vihar, Karkardooma and Anand Vihar.

“This stretch is infamous for perennial traffic snarls especially because of haphazard parking, encroachment and irregular vehicular movement. Under the plan we will strengthen the road stretch, widen it wherever it is required, separate lane would be created for non-motorised vehicles and encroachments would be removed,” the official said.

Another official associated with the project said that under the plan geometry of the stretches would also be improved by removing the hurdles falling in the right of way of the road. The official said that Narwana Road has many transformer and poles, which would be removed for beautification. “ Footpaths will be improved; ramps will be constructed so that the people with disability and the cyclists can easily access the pathways. Street furniture will also be installed to make it more people friendly,” the official said.

He added that the roads will also be widened wherever required and strengthened by laying fresh asphalt layers. Subways and foot overbridges will also be repaired under the plan.

Street lightings along the road will be improved and intersections will be decongested by improving road geometry, proper signage would be put to make it more convenient for pedestrians and the vehicular traffic to move.

Works to done under the project

*Road strengthening through fresh asphalt layers

*Widening of roads wherever required

*Improvement of road geometry by removing hurdles (transformers, poles, trees) falling in the right of way of the stretch

*Construction and makeover of the footpaths and pathways and improvement of service roads

*Roads will be beautified through plants, solar-powered street lights, street furniture

*Toilet blocks and proper signage to be installed

*Separate space for hawkers and pedestrians

*Separate lane for non-motorised transport

*FOBs and subways to be revamped