New Delhi, Sept. 29 -- After more than a decade of delays, the long-awaited Barapullah Phase-III elevated corridor was opened to the public on Tuesday, creating a signal-free link between Mayur Vihar Phase-I and Sarai Kale Khan and strengthening connectivity towards AIIMS and South Delhi.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the Rs.1,635-crore corridor at an event attended by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, PWD Minister Parvesh Verma, Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Harsh Malhotra and other leaders. Shah also inaugurated and laid foundation stones for road projects worth more than Rs.1,941 crore in the capital.
The Barapullah Phase-III project was approved in 2014 and construction began in 2015. It was originally scheduled for completion in 2017 but faced repeated delays linked to land acquisition, tree-related clearances, construction around the Yamuna and the Covid-19 pandemic. The revised project cost rose from the initial estimate of around Rs.1,260 crore to Rs.1,635 crore. The project had also missed the June 30 deadline set earlier this year.
The new elevated stretch connects Mayur Vihar Phase-I with Sarai Kale Khan and merges with the existing Barapullah corridor.
Together, the elevated route will provide a signal-free stretch of around 9 km towards South Delhi and AIIMS. Both ramps have been completed, with one connecting the Mayur Vihar side and the other linking the new corridor to the existing stretch near Sarai Kale Khan.
A key engineering component is the bridge across the Yamuna floodplain. Its pillars have spans of nearly 125 metres, designed to reduce interference with the active river zone and minimise disruption to the river's natural flow. The corridor also includes a dedicated cycle track and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, expanding the project beyond motor-vehicle connectivity.
Officials have estimated that the corridor could reduce the travel time between Noida/East Delhi and AIIMS from around 35-40 minutes to approximately 15 minutes, although the actual time saving will depend on traffic conditions.
Gupta said the opening reflected cooperation between the Centre and Delhi government. "Only with a double-engine government can Delhi's stalled projects be opened to the public. The Centre and the Delhi government are working together," she said.
She added that her government was planning several projects to tackle congestion, which she said had been neglected over the past 50 years.
Verma said the project had finally crossed the long wait. "Last year, we committed that the Barapullah flyover would be over in a year and we have done it. For the last 18 months, there has been no politics of allegations or excuses, but only work done by the government for the public," he said.
At the event, Shah also highlighted the connectivity benefits of the project, saying, "This will provide signal-free connectivity between East and South Delhi, making commuting smoother, providing relief from traffic jams, and saving travel time."
The other projects include the Mukarba Chowk underpass, which was also opened, and foundation stones for the Modi Mill-Savitri Cinema flyover and Loni underpass. The wider package is aimed at easing congestion at key locations across Delhi.
The Barapullah project has also faced scrutiny over its delays and cost escalation.
The Delhi Anti-Corruption Branch had registered a case concerning alleged irregularities linked to the project; the allegations remain under investigation.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.