90% of Punjabi Bagh Flyover completed, expected to open by August

The construction of the Club Road flyover in Punjabi Bagh, West Delhi, is 90% complete and expected to open by August, according to officials from the Public Works Department (PWD). Despite delays caused by pending permissions for felling 33 trees, the flyover’s inauguration will not be affected. "We have completed about 90% of the work and aim to open it by August. Although we haven't received tree felling permission yet, this will only impact repair work at the ground level," said a PWD official.

Previous delays and current progress

The project had missed its December 2023 and February 2024 deadlines due to issues such as unshifted high-tension power cables and a water pipeline. These problems have now been resolved. The Delhi High Court stayed a notification allowing the felling of 33 trees on Ring Road, Punjabi Bagh, until July 29. These trees, located at ground level, affect road repairs under the flyover. "We need to repair and construct the road at grade along with footpaths and other Non-Motorised Transport (NMT) infrastructure, which is on hold until we get clearance from the court for felling the trees," the official added.

ALSO READ: PSPCL authorized to impose power cuts amid peak demand

With one carriageway of the Naraina flyover closed for repairs and restrictions due to the Punjabi Bagh flyover development, two major traffic bottlenecks have formed on the Ring Road between Dhaula Kuan and Punjabi Bagh. Once completed, this stretch will help ease congestion from high vehicular traffic between South and West Delhi areas from Dhaula Kuan to Azadpur and nearby regions.

Project details and benefits

The 1.1 km-long six-lane Club Road flyover is part of the West Delhi Integrated Transit Corridor Development (WDITCD). The first section, the Moti Nagar flyover, was inaugurated by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on March 13. Both sections are part of the West Delhi elevated corridor launched in September 2022, initially scheduled for completion by December 2023. The project also includes a subway near Punjabi Bagh.

ALSO READ: Man climbs 200-foot tower in Chandigarh's Sector 17, demands meeting with Punjab CM

The project, costing ₹352.32 crore, had incurred ₹174.31 crore in expenses by October 2023, as per the latest economic survey of Delhi. The Delhi government estimates that over 1,250,000 vehicles will use this flyover daily, saving more than 600,000 liters of fuel and 9,000 man-hours in travel time annually.