Started in 2000, Kalindi Kunj bypass connecting Delhi, Noida and Faridabad still incomplete

Updated Jun 17, 2018 | 00:42 IST | Mirror Now Digital

The project to split traffic via Kalindi Kunj bypass was announced at the same time as the announcement of the Delhi Metro project, in 2000.

Over time, the traffic in South Delhi has multiplied more than three-fold.
Over time, the traffic in South Delhi has multiplied more than three-fold.  |  Photo Credit: BCCL

Delhi: For the last 18 years, a bypass road via Kalindi Kunj to connect Delhi, Noida, and Faridabad has been in the works without finally getting materialised. From 2000, not a single brick has been laid for the proposed 13.7 km-long road. The project to split traffic via Kalindi Kunj bypass was announced at the same time as the announcement of the Delhi Metro project, in 2000. Over time, the traffic in South Delhi has multiplied more than three-fold.

The project is overseen by the Public Works Department (PWD). As per a report in Hindustan Times, PWD was about to begin the work two years after the commencement of the project, however, it delayed the construction of the road because of flawed alignment of the proposed road.

Later, as per the proposed plan, the bypass road was supposed to cross the area near Okhla Bird Sanctuary. Since that would have disturbed the ecology and green belt, the portion of the road that had to cross the sanctuary was realigned as an elevated corridor above the Agra canal.

In 2003, PWD began the work. It started digging the place while taking measurements but after four years, in 2007, whatever little digging was done was also stopped. Meanwhile, in 2007, the Uttar Pradesh government raised objections and did not clear a 43-acre patch of land needed for the road. At present, the PWD managed to obtain in principle approval. Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department approved construction of the road on UP’s 43-acre land but a final approval from the state government is still required to begin construction. The Kalindi Kunj bypass has been stuck at various levels. 

Urban infrastructure expert Pradeep Ramachandran told a national daily that most of the vehicles that cross the Ashram intersection merely use it as a transit route. “If these vehicles get an alternative bypass, then the traffic volume in the intersection will reduce considerably,” he said.
 If the project is completed, then the commuters will reach Badarpur flyover with no stoppage within one hour saving approximately 30 minutes. The areas which will benefit are Kalindi Kunj, Sarita Vihar, Jasola, Ashram, Maharani Bagh, New Friends Colony, Jamia Nagar, Okhla.

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