2 new flyovers on Outer Ring Road

NEW DELHI: The Unified Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure (planning and engineering) Centre has finally given a go-ahead to PWD for construction of two flyovers on the Outer Ring Road at the Metcalfe House and Majnu ka Tila crossings.
The flyovers are part of a larger project to make the stretch between Vikaspuri and Noida signal free. The first phase of the project is an elevated road on a stretch of 22.1km from Vikaspuri to Wazirabad.Work has already started on this stretch.
The second phase, which will include the two flyovers, will cover the distance between Signature Bridge in Wazirabad and Noida via RR Koli Marg flyover, Shastri Nagar flyover, ITO Chungi underpass and the Akshardham and Mayur Vihar flyovers. The red lights at Metcalfe House and Majnu ka Tila are the only ones on this stretch.
"Both sites are T-points but, instead of half flyovers, full two-way flyovers have been considered for the sites. Permissions have been received from DUAC and UTTIPEC, the latter of which came earlier this month. PWD is now preparing an estimate for the Delhi government. Once administrative approval and financial sanctions are received, we will issue tenders. The department needs around six months for planning and tendering and another one-and-a-half years for execution of the project. We estimate that the project will be ready by 2016-17," said a senior official.
The traffic below will continue to be signalized though signal time will be reduced.
PWD will also be executing a right turning loop close to ISBT at Kashmere Gate while building the two flyovers. "At present, traffic coming towards Kashmere Gate takes a U-turn over an elevated road that descends in front of the bus terminal. Buses coming to ISBT from Mukarba Chowk take U-turn at ground level before turning left into the terminal. Traffic on both roads comes into conflict which can be extremely dangerous. PWD is proposing to build an elevated road for buses that will merge into the existing elevated road. Buses can use this, descend in front of ISBT and enter without coming into conflict with other traffic," said an official.
The project was conceived in 2008 but delayed due to the Commonwealth Games. In 2011, it was submitted to DUAC for clearance but PWD was first asked to get approval by UTTIPEC. The necessary permissions were received this year and, depending on how soon the government clears the project, work on the flyovers will begin.