Andheria Mod-Vasant Kunj stretch to be made signal-free

Thursday , June 25, 2009
source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

While commuters would have to wait a few more years for a smooth ride on the congested Andheria Mod NH-8 stretch via Vasant Kunj, the good news is that the entire corridor would be made signal-free simultaneously. Public Works Department (PWD) has submitted an integrated proposal in this regard to the United Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure (Planning and Engineering) Centre (UTTIPEC).

As per the PWD submission, three 6-lane flyovers would be built at major traffic intersections and the scope of work includes construction of a road over road or single carriageway flyover and a 6-lane tunnel/underpass. Though the financial estimates have not been submitted, PWD has categorically mentioned that the project would be complete in 41 months after obtaining the approval from local bodies.

"We can't make the financial projections until the project is approved. We are going to take up the case with UTTIPEC on Thursday,'' said a senior PWD official. The unified planning body for transport and traffic related projects in the capital has already invited public opinion on the proposal to make the stretch a non-stop traffic corridor.

According to the proposed plan, to deal with the congestion at Andheria Mod on Mehrauli-Gurgaon road, a two carriageway and 6-lane flyover would be constructed at the crossing. Officials said the department already has approval to widen the existing road up to Masoodpur.

Similarly, to do away with the intersection on Aruna Asaf Ali Marg at D-3, the PWD proposes to construct another 400m-long 6-lane flyover. "But so far the biggest challenge has been to improve the traffic flow on Masoodpur stretch, which is already congested,'' said the PWD official.

The department has proposed to construct a 700m-long 3-lane single carriageway flyover (road over road) between Nelson Mandela Marg crossing and Main Masoodpur village that would cover the most congested market stretch. Sources said this new stretch would be an extension of the existing single carriageway flyover.

Department officials said the PWD has also proposed to build another half-a-kilometer 6-lane flyover at Ryan International School crossing. However, to find a solution to the clogged Mahipalpur village, the PWD would construct a tunnel/underpass at NH-8 junction leading to Dwarka. "DMRC has been given the task to carry out a feasibility study for this 500m 6-lane bypass,'' the PWD official said.

It's worth mentioning that to make this stretch signal-free the PWD had submitted the proposal years ago and it was earlier discussed in the technical committee meeting in February, 2007.