For motorists using south Delhi's Bhikaji Cama flyover on a regular basis, each day comes at a risk. The flyover had developed cracks during the construction of the underground Metro station, and even as the Traffic Police are ready with a diversion plan, they are yet to receive the schedule for repair work by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).
As many as 15 lakh motorists use the stretch every day. A part of the flyover — which is along the Ring Road connecting south and west and is the busiest route even during the non-peak hours — carrying traffic towards Dhaula Kuan was damaged during the Metro station construction.
The DMRC's repair plan, once ready, will have to be sent to the traffic authorities and the Public Works Department (PWD), which will supervise the work. The Metro authorities have started preliminary preparations for the rehabilitation but is yet to submit the detailed plan to the two agencies.
"Preliminary preparations for the rehabilitation of the flyover have started. The method statement to begin the repair work, however, will take a couple of more days. The statement will be sent to both the police and the PWD. We hope to complete the work by February-end," a DMRC spokesperson said.
The PWD had constructed the flyover in 2002. The department officials had earlier claimed that the flyover was safe for commuting but now state that they, too, are awaiting the plan. "The DMRC is to take up the restoration work. We will only be supervising it. We are still waiting for the statement," a senior PWD official said.
Alarmed at the condition of the flyover, the traffic authorities had warned the agencies involved to take up the restoration work on an urgent basis.
"We have the traffic diversion plan ready. The idea is to reduce the weight of vehicles on the flyover. We have been informed that the engineers are still working on the repair details. Once we receive the schedule of the work, we will be able to implement the diversions," Special CP (Traffic) Ajay Kashyap said.
As per the diversion plan, the damaged part of the carriageway will be separated by placing narrow bollards. The other half of the carriageway will remain open to traffic. The width of each carriageway is about 20 m, which will be reduced to about 7.5 m.
Motorists heading to Dhaula Kuan will be advised to go through R K Puram while those going towards AIIMS will have to take the New Moti Bagh or Pancharipuri route. Long jams are expected on the slip roads.
"Diverting traffic from this stretch at the soonest is crucial to avoid risk to the lives of commuters. The foundation of the flyover has been damaged during the construction work, which can lead a collapse," a senior traffic officer said.
Slamming the delay in repair, residents of adjoining areas, including Safdaejung Enclave and Green Park, said it has been more than 20 days since the cracks first started appearing on the flyover. They said had immediately warned the PWD control room regarding the possible danger.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Bhikaji Cama flyover")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}