Date:05/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/05/stories/2008070561170300.htm

New Delhi

Traffic diverted on Vikas Marg for ITO chungi project

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: The Public Works Department on Friday opened the left slip road from Vikas Marg towards Gandhi Nagar and Geeta Colony for diverting traffic from the Vikas Marg-Akshardham intersection where work on an underpass is due to start.

With the diversion in place, motorists moving towards East Delhi from ITO through Vikas Marg would have to take a compulsory left and then take a U-turn from the road towards Gandhi Nagar to go towards Akshardham or Laxmi Nagar.

In due course, the other slip road from Pushta Road to Vikas Marg that would carry traffic from Akshardham Temple to ITO will also be made operational to divert traffic from the main intersection.

For construction of the underpass, the main intersection would ultimately be made off-limits for traffic and construction of the four clover leaves, which are a part of the ITO chungi project, would also be taken up simultaneously.

The underpass would not only provide an effective link between different localities of East Delhi but also serve as an important link between East Delhi and other parts of the Capital.

To be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs.73.70 crore, the chungi project was originally expected to be completed within 18 months or by 2008-end. The deadline has now been postponed to June 2009. One of the reasons for the delay has been the problem in relocation of water pipelines laid for the Sonia Vihar water treatment plant that passes along Vikas Marg.