Wednesday, Apr 24, 2024 | Last Update : 11:06 PM IST
Three tunnel roads to ease traffic
One tunnel will also provide access to underground parking for those coming from Purana Quila Road.
New Delhi: The urban development ministry will provide Rs 700 crore for construction of three tunnel roads to ease traffic on Bhairon Road and W-points at ITO intersection.
The first tunnel road will connect Mathura Road to Ring Road via Bhairon Marg near Pragati Maidan. The second tunnel road will connect Bhairon Marg to Ring Road, while the third will start from Mathura Road to Bhairon Marg.
Once completed, these roads will provide relief to commuters who use Bhairon Marg to reach Ring Road. The new roads will also ease traffic at ITO, Mandi House, Tilak Marg, Mathura Road and Pragati Maidan.
A traffic police report said five lakh vehicles pass through ITO crossing and Bhairon Marg road near Pragati Maidan everyday.
Cabinet secretary P.K. Sinha will hold a meeting Friday with stakeholders including the Indian Railways, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and Delhi government’s public works department to sort out issues such as land acquisition, environment clearance and ASI approval.
People familiar with the matter said that the Prime Minister’s Office wants this project to complete within two years. The PWD will execute the project, which will be funded entirely by the urban development ministry.
“Delhi Government recently appointed a consultant to conduct feasibility study in this regard,” a senior officer told this newspaper. The tunnel roads will be short — each 1 km to 2.5 km long — to make them cost-effective and allow motorists to enter and exit fast.
A senior official said that another tunnel near Bhairon Marg will allow traffic coming from Sundar Nagar to go straight toward ITO.
Yet another tunnel will be built for traffic turning right to Bhairon Marg, from which an arm will extend toward Pragati Maidan parking lot. It is to be extended to Geeta Colony bridge near Vikas Marg loop, giving central Delhi one more link with east Delhi in future.
One tunnel will also provide access to underground parking for those coming from Purana Quila Road. Further down, at Sher Shah Road crossing, underground access will be provided to traffic coming from the high court and turning right toward Mathura Road.
Traffic going to Delhi high court or India Gate from Pragati Maidan will take a loop in front of the fort and cross via a tunnel that will open up close to the Delhi high court.
Once construction starts in six months, massive traffic disruption is expected in adjoining areas.
