Phase-2 was opened for use on July 28; was to save at least 20 minutes for the commuters
The national Capital, which is notorious for its traffic jams, has another hot spot — the Barapullah flyover towards All Indian Institute of Medical Sciences. Constructed with the sole objective of reducing travel time, the newly opened flyover connecting Sarai Kale Khan with AIIMS, it witnesses serpentine queues of vehicles during morning and evening peak hours. The almost three-km long stretch is choc-a-bloc with cars for a minimum of two hours in the morning and then in the evening, restricting the movement on the expanse of the stretch to painfully slow speed. The snarl is so bad that cars touching bumper to bumper, crawl. Literally.
This stretch from Sarai Kale Khan to AIIMS is the second phase of Barapullah flyover, which was inaugurated by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on July 28. The Delhi government had announced that the flyover will reduce travelling time from Sarai Kale Khan to All India Institute for Medical Sciences (AIIMS) will be reduced to just 15 minutes against the existing 35 minutes. However, what daily commuters on the route experience are far from a smooth, hassle-free drive. A lot of office goers rue that crossing the 2.5 km long flyover takes as much as 30 minutes or more sometimes because of the slow movement. "I was so relieved and looking forward to driving to my office in Dhaula Kuan in no time. But, the density of cars in Delhi is so high that the new flyover is badly choked. It is more nuisance than convenience," said Prateek Gupta, a resident of Sector 90, Noida.
The work on phase two of the flyover started in 2013 and was to be completed in 2015. The project, however, missed several deadlines and was rescheduled to be operational from September 2017. Due to delay in the progress, it once again missed the deadline. The total cost of the project is Rs 530 crore. The entire corridor of Barapullah flyovers, which consists of four phases, will be a signal-free stretch for commuters travelling between East Delhi and the Indira Gandhi International Airport.
A FAILED PROMISE
The govt had announced that the flyover will reduce travelling time from Sarai Kale Khan to AIIMS. However, commuters are of a different view.
VOICES
When the bridge was inaugurated, I thought it will solve the traffic issues. But, the traffic movement on the stretch has increased and we have to spend hours waiting in the traffic. The authorities should find a solution to this problem at the earliest.
— Gautam, a resident of Nizammudin
I feel by the time this part of Barapullah was opened to the public, the number of cars increased manifold. The feasibility study done at that time does not hold ground now. I spend at least 30 minutes on this flyover the moment I hit it from Noida.
— Sanjay Gulati, businessman
I waste as much time in travelling to my studio in Dhaula Kuan as I did before this was opened. What is the point of having services when they give more inconvenience than relief?
— Sandeep Brar, entrepreneur
It is a common sight in the morning. The flyover seems never-ending such is the speed, or lack of it, of cars. I am not sure whether I should really rejoice the new flyover or feel sorry because it wastes so much time.
— Vimal Mali, agriculturist
Few metres into entering the flyover from the Sarai Kale Khan side, it turns into a disaster, but only during morning peak hours. At other times of the day, it is a breeze through the flyover.
— Anshu Tanwar, student
I have to cross the Barapullah every day to get to Delhi to my boutique. The traffic jam is becoming so bad that I know have a sciatica pain due to a pressed nerve from driving 4-5 hours a day. If this continues, I will have to either let go of my boutique or look at other work options as the long driving hours are just affecting my body.
— Drashti Agnihotri, designer
It is an endless wait to cross the flyover in the morning rush hour. Best is if one leaves after 10 am. I understand that then the government wants to ease our commuting woes but it seems that the entire city's traffic is concentrated here now.
— Hussain, businessman
I feel boarding a Metro to go to INA is better than using the new Barapullah during morning rush hours. The traffic is so slow. I wonder if it is really easing traffic woes or congesting it further.
— Sushant Mungase, student
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