After experiencing multiple delays and missed deadlines, the final segment of the Pragati Maidan Integrated Transit Corridor, known as Bhairon Marg Underpass 5, which runs beneath an operational railway line, is expected to reach completion by February of the following year.
The Public Works Department (PWD) minister, Parvesh Sahib Singh, announced that construction on this section has resumed and is progressing rapidly. “The work is advancing well… We have received an in-principle No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Indian Railways. To ensure timely completion, train services may be diverted temporarily,” he stated.
The Underpass 5, measuring 110 meters in length, was initially slated for completion and inauguration alongside the Pragati Maidan tunnel and other underpasses as part of the redevelopment initiative for the Pragati Maidan Integrated Transit Corridor. However, the project faced setbacks due to the presence of an active railway line and fluctuations in the water levels of the Yamuna River.
In 2023, construction was halted when precast concrete boxes, which were being installed using a ‘box-pushing’ technique, sank due to flooding from the Yamuna. In response, the PWD proposed a ‘cut and cover’ method that entailed interrupting railway operations to extract and realign the affected concrete. This approach necessitated a closure of the railway line for 40 to 60 days, which Indian Railways did not approve.
Subsequently, the PWD opted to implement ‘cast in-situ’ technology for the project.
Once finalized, this segment will significantly ease travel for commuters moving between Bhairon Marg, Central Delhi, ISBT Kashmere Gate, Ring Road, and Sarai Kale Khan. It aims to alleviate traffic congestion around the Pragati Maidan and ITO corridor, enhance connectivity in the East-Central region, and facilitate smoother traffic flow during major national and international events at the ITPO complex.
Currently, traffic management is being conducted through temporary diversions and barricades, which has resulted in significant congestion in the areas surrounding Ring Road, Bhairon Marg, and Sarai Kale Khan, according to officials.
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