AAP slams North MCD over flyover construction delay

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday attacked BJP-led North MCD over delay in the construction of the Rani Jhansi Grade Separator, alleging cost overruns in the ambitious flyover project in north Delhi.

The 1.6-km-long flyover from near St Stephen's Hospital to Filmistaan Cinema was originally scheduled to be completed by 2010, but has missed several deadlines. "North MCD has been asking the Delhi government for money, but has not given the reason for increasing cost escalations that led to the delay of the 1.6-km-long project," said senior AAP leader Dilip Pandey.

"The cost of the project was initially pegged at around Rs 70 crore, has been pending for the last ten years, and the deadline for its completion extended several times. The project now costs Rs 700 crore," he claimed.

He further said that the project has failed to see the light of the day despite the Union Urban Development ministry allocating Rs 50 crore in the budget.