Delhi road project hindered by lack of forest clearance

20 Mar 2024 CW Team

Shashanka Ala, special secretary at PWD, outlined in her letter to the forest department that these projects had obtained approval from UTTIPEC after securing consent from all stakeholders. During the project's planning phase, the forest department representatives had yet to identify or document the affected land as falling within a deemed forest area.

Anand Vihar flyover, for instance, encountered a halt after reports emerged of unauthorized tree felling at the project site, prompting discussions between PWD and forest officials for the past few months without resolution. The project aims to construct a flyover between the Anand Vihar railway overbridge and the Apsara Border, where ongoing delays have exacerbated congestion in the area.

Similarly, Barapullah Phase-III has been mired in issues concerning land acquisition and other obstacles, with the awaited permission to cut or transplant 274 trees further impeding progress. This phase aims to establish seamless connectivity between Mayur Vihar-I and Sarai Kale Khan, ultimately merging with existing infrastructure to provide signal-free travel between east Delhi and AIIMS. Despite commencing in April 2015 and initially slated for completion by October 2017, Phase III remains unfinished.

The Punjabi Bagh project, initially scheduled for completion in January of the current year, still needs to be completed, leading to persistent congestion in the area. Likewise, construction work at Nand Nagri, intended to create a signal-free route via a 1.5km-long flyover comprising six lanes, has been delayed, and forest department clearances are awaiting.

Delhi road; Road delay; Construction delay; PWD; Public department

New Delhi's Public Works Department (PWD) officials stated that four road infrastructure projects, including Barapullah Phase-III, Punjabi Bagh-Raja Garden elevated corridor, and flyovers at Nand Nagri and Anand Vihar, are delayed due to the forest department's lack of clearance. The estimated cost for these projects is around Rs 1.951 billion. The PWD has urged the forest department to expedite permissions to prevent further strain on public funds. Shashanka Ala, special secretary at PWD, outlined in her letter to the forest department that these projects had obtained approval from UTTIPEC after securing consent from all stakeholders. During the project's planning phase, the forest department representatives had yet to identify or document the affected land as falling within a deemed forest area. Anand Vihar flyover, for instance, encountered a halt after reports emerged of unauthorized tree felling at the project site, prompting discussions between PWD and forest officials for the past few months without resolution. The project aims to construct a flyover between the Anand Vihar railway overbridge and the Apsara Border, where ongoing delays have exacerbated congestion in the area. Similarly, Barapullah Phase-III has been mired in issues concerning land acquisition and other obstacles, with the awaited permission to cut or transplant 274 trees further impeding progress. This phase aims to establish seamless connectivity between Mayur Vihar-I and Sarai Kale Khan, ultimately merging with existing infrastructure to provide signal-free travel between east Delhi and AIIMS. Despite commencing in April 2015 and initially slated for completion by October 2017, Phase III remains unfinished. The Punjabi Bagh project, initially scheduled for completion in January of the current year, still needs to be completed, leading to persistent congestion in the area. Likewise, construction work at Nand Nagri, intended to create a signal-free route via a 1.5km-long flyover comprising six lanes, has been delayed, and forest department clearances are awaiting.