Arvind Kejriwal says government saved Rs 20 crore on new flyover

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal arrives to inaugurate an eight-lane flyover at Bhalswa Chowk on Outer Ring Road on Saturday. (Photo: PTI)

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday threw open the eight-lane Bhalswa Flyover, built at a cost of Rs 45 crore, and claimed the AAP government had saved Rs 20 crore on the project. The flyover, part of the 20-km Vikaspuri-Wazirabad signal-free elevated corridor, is aimed at easing traffic on the Outer Ring Road.

“PWD has saved Rs 20 crore by constructing the eight-lane Bhalswa flyover at a cost of Rs 45 crore against its estimated cost of Rs 65 crore,” Mr Kejriwal told a gathering here. The newly-constructed flyover will help decongest traffic in Bhalswa, Burari and Rohini and result in commuters saving on fuel. Around 1.80 lakh vehicles will use this stretch daily. Construction has been completed in eight months.

At the occasion, PWD minister Satyendar Jain lauded his department for saving money in every project and slammed the DDA and MCD for “not saving money” in their projects. Without naming the BJP, Mr Jain said, “Many persons repeatedly asked us how we saved money, but we want them to see our working style. MCD is also taking up several projects in Delhi. They (MCD, ruled by BJP) have been constructing a flyover on Rani Jhansi Road for several years but it is yet to be completed. MCD has spent money beyond the estimated cost of this flyover. They have also been constructing an underpass in Sultanpur for six years.” The minister said other departments too should at least take a lesson from the PWD, adding that if they (MCD and DDA) do not save money, they should also not spend more.