Delhi’s Sarai Kale Khan delay: Atishi warns PWD officials to finish work by Sept

With the Sarai Kale Khan flyover doubling project missing its July deadline, Public Works Department (PWD) minister Atishi said that engineers have been warned to complete the work by September.

The project is aimed at easing commute for those travelling between ITO and Ashram. At present, the site has a one-way flyover for vehicles plying from Ashram towards ITO but not for those commuting the other way. This leads to heavy traffic jam at the T-junction red light. The new three-lane flyover, which officials said is 90% complete, will run parallel to the existing flyover and is expected to create a signal-free corridor at the Sarai Kale Khan T-junction on Ring Road.

PWD minister Atishi said that the construction of the flyover is now delayed by a month. “Delay in such an important project of the government will not be tolerated at all. PWD engineers have been given a clear warning on-site inspection this morning. They should either complete the work within a month or be ready for strict action if there is any delay. We need results, not excuses,” the minister said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

A senior PWD official attributed the delay to labour issue and heavy rainfall over the last one month. The flyover will be opened to the public in September. The 643-m-long is being built at an estimated cost of ₹65.55 crore. PWD estimates that it will reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by five tonnes daily and save the government ₹19 crore annually. Its foundation stone was laid down by former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia on September 6 last year.

Currently, the stretch witnesses merging traffic coming from Akshardham, Delhi-Meerut Expressway and Mayur Vihar. Once complete, the flyover will facilitate commute from Ghaziabad and ITO towards Ashram crossing. PWD will also provide options of two U-turns at grade level. “We will also be carrying out widening of the existing roads, its strengthening, redevelopment of footpath for pedestrians as well as road improvement work in its vicinity,” a PWD official said.