In 2013, Public Works Department (PWD) conducted a study to evaluate the benefits of the infrastructure projects — 18 flyovers and underpasses — taken up during Commonwealth Games. As per its findings, Delhiites not only were able to travel faster, but also saved fuel. According to the cost-benefit analysis done by the civic agency, these structures constructed for Rs.3,148 crore have saved an amount of Rs.2,698 crore, excluding the cost of carbon credit earned.
PWD officials said that projects of grade separators at Mangolpuri, Mukarba Chowk and ITO Chungi, recovered the cost of construction within the first year.
Though it doesn’t take away much of the traffic load from the Ashram chowk, the Barapullah elevated road does save commuting time between east and south Delhi. Commuters said due to improper signages and insufficient entry and exit points, some people continue to use alternate routes. The 4.3-km road was constructed over a period of 20 months and provided easy connectivity to athletes travelling from the Games Village to Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
Even the ITO Chungi has been a saviour for east Delhi residents. What once used to be a nightmare is now a zip drive. “So many projects were going on at the same time during the Games and people were inconvenienced then. But, now, we are reaping benefits from it. Similarly, the Salimgarh bypass on the Mahatma Gandhi Marg has saved people from hours of traffic jams,” said a senior PWD official.
One thing that the Commonwealth Games gave to the city is the flyovers and underpass. In Delhi during the Games, PWD engineers said, 22 flyovers were conceived.
“It is only because of such massive construction during the Games that the new government this year didn’t have to take up a single new infrastructure project,” an engineer said.
