Amit Shah Unveils Barapullah Phase III Corridor in Delhi
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurates the Barapullah Phase III Corridor, a ₹1,941 crore connectivity project in Delhi.
In a major boost to Delhi's infrastructure, Union Home Minister Amit Shah officially inaugurated the Barapullah Phase III Corridor on Tuesday. The ceremony, held in the presence of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, marks the completion of a long-awaited project designed to transform connectivity across the national capital.
During the event, the Home Minister also unveiled several other connectivity projects in Delhi, with a total investment reaching ₹1,941 crore. The inauguration signals a significant step toward easing traffic congestion and improving the movement of commuters between various parts of the city.
A Decade of Delays: Political Sparring Over Project Completion
The inauguration was not without political friction. Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched a scathing attack on the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) administration. She alleged that the project had been left in a state of limbo for over a decade due to administrative failures.
According to the Chief Minister, the previous government had sanctioned funds but failed to execute the necessary groundwork. "Even after all these years, the government couldn't finish this job. What kind of condition did we find it in?" Gupta remarked. She specifically pointed out that the previous regime failed to acquire land, obtain mandatory tree-cutting permissions, or manage the removal of high-tension wires.
Gupta further criticized the former administration for what she described as "hurried inaugurations" that left projects incomplete. She noted that the bridge construction appeared disjointed, with spans starting at different points but leaving a massive empty gap in the middle. She credited Minister Parvesh Verma for his decisive action and use of authority to finally bring the project to fruition.
Engineering Marvel: Connecting East and South Delhi
The Barapullah Phase III project, which was originally approved in 2014 and commenced in 2015, has faced a turbulent timeline. While it was initially slated for completion in 2017, various delays pushed the project forward. The revised cost of this specific segment stands at approximately Rs 1,635 crore.
Key Features of the New Corridor:
- Signal-Free Connectivity: The elevated corridor provides a seamless link between Mayur Vihar Phase I and Sarai Kale Khan, facilitating easier access to AIIMS and South Delhi.
- Extended Reach: By connecting with the existing Barapullah corridor, the total stretch will now span roughly 9 km.
- Eco-Friendly Design: To protect the natural flow of the Yamuna river, the bridge features massive pillar spans of nearly 125 metres, minimizing interference within the river zone.
- Multi-Modal Infrastructure: Beyond motorized transport, the project includes a dedicated cycle track and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure to ensure safe movement for all commuters.
The completion of the ramps and the extra-dosed bridge over the Yamuna is expected to significantly reduce travel time for commuters moving between the eastern and southern sectors of Delhi, providing much-needed relief to the city's busy transit routes.