Badarpur flyover: One carriageway opens for public

Wednesday, Oct 06, 2010



The much-awaited Badarpur flyover, expected to solve the problem of traffic jams  at Badarpur border, partially opened on Tuesday. Officials said one carriageway of the flyover opened on Tuesday morning, bringing relief to thousands of commuters who come from Faridabad to Delhi every day. The second carriageway of the flyover is likely to be opened by the end of this month.

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials said though the agency constructing the flyover had assured Delhi government of opening one carriageway before the Commonwealth Games, it was delayed due to heavy rain. ''We strongly feel that even after putting all possible efforts, we will not be able to make second carriageway ready for operations before the end of October. Since it is a huge structure, we need to make sure it is safe before allowing traffic on it,'' said a top NHAI official.

The project was deemed crucial for the Games preparations as it is related to NH2, the highway that connects Delhi with the city of Taj, Agra. Earlier, NHAI officials associated with this project had claimed before the highways minister Kamal Nath that the both carriageways of the main elevated corridor would be opened before the Games.

Sources said that with the Delhi-bound traffic being diverted to the elevated stretch, the concessionaire would now carry out remaining work on the ground road that was being used by motorists coming from the Harayana side.

''As soon as work on the ground is completed, the traffic that is using the elevated portion currently would be shifted to the ground road,'' said an official. He added that the carriageway which is in operation now would be used by traffic headed towards Faridabad. ''The concessionaire then repair the road which is taken by people moving towards Badarpur Border. Once this work is complete, both carriageways on the flyover will be thrown open for traffic.''

Sources said the concessionaire could be allowed to charge toll on the flyover from Diwali. ''Those using the service road will not be charged. The toll rate has been fixed and only needs to be notified by the NHAI. Cars and jeeps will have to pay Rs 20 per single entry, light commercial vehicles will need to pay Rs 30 and for buses and trucks one trip would cost Rs 60,'' said an official.

Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Badarpur-flyover-One-carriageway-opens-for-public/articleshow/6695598.cms#ixzz11YMd18Yu