Delhi: RTR flyover opens; to ease traffic towards airport, Gurugram
What's the story
On Tuesday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal inaugurated the long-delayed Rao Tula Ram (RTR) flyover, which would ease connectivity for commuters traveling from South Delhi towards the Indira Gandhi International Airport and Gurugram. The elevated corridor was built at a cost of Rs. 310 crore on the Outer Ring Road and initially had a deadline set for December 2016. Here are more details.
Details
New RTR extends between Munirka flyover, Subroto Park
The three-lane, 2.7km-long elevated corridor intends to ease rush hour traffic in South Delhi. Branching out of the Munirka flyover, the RTR flyover ends before Army Research and Referral Hospital near Subroto Park, close to National Highway-8. Notably, Delhi PWD Minister Satyendar Jain, RK Puram MLA Pramila Tokas and AAP MLA Somnath Bharti were also present at the inauguration event.
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We do our work, but we don't advertise much: Kejriwal
While inaugurating the flyover, Kejriwal said, "In 15 years, the Sheila Dikshit government built 70 flyovers. In the last four-and-a-half years, our (AAP) government has built 23 flyovers." He added, "We do our work, but we don't advertise much. Now, it is for the people to spread the word about the work we have done in the last 4.5 years."
Twitter Post
CM Kejriwal also tweeted the news, congratulating Delhiites
Congratulations Delhiites
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 16, 2019
Overcoming all hurdles your govt finally succeeds in opening the RTR flyover from today. No more traffic jams on your way to the airport.
Information
Few more such projects to come up soon, says Kejriwal
Speaking to reporters at the event, Kejriwal said the AAP government has also built roads, sewage lines, and provided other facilities in unauthorized colonies. Responding to a question about other such future projects, he said, "Yes, a few more such projects will come up soon."
History
Construction started in November 2014; missed multiple deadlines
To note, construction of the RTR flyover started in November 2014. Initially, it was supposed to be completed by November 2016, but the deadline postponed to December 2018, which was also missed. Reportedly, the construction was slowed down due to planning permission delays. Residents of Vasant Vihar had also taken the Public Works Department (PWD) to the Delhi High Court to halt construction.
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Construction delayed due to court cases by residents: Superintending engineer
"The construction got delayed as there were court cases by residents of the area. Plus we required permission for felling trees, which took time. Lastly, the contractor was financially incompetent," GP Bansal, superintending engineer, Flyover Circle 4, PWD, had told The Indian Express in June.
Criticism
Delhi BJP chief takes jibe at AAP over delay
However, Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari took a jibe at AAP Tuesday morning in a tweet. Tiwari wrote, "RTR Flyover just 2.7Kms stretch made in 5years by Delhi Govt is set to open today. This has been a nightmare each day for commuters. 8.7 km stretch of NH24 Nizamuddin bridge-DelhiUP border completed and inaugurated by @narendramodi Ji in 15months."