After the project, which was initiated by the Delhi government in 2002, ran into several hurdles due to land acquisition issues with the Uttar Pradesh government, the public works department (PWD) is planning a realignment of the bypass to minimize the hindrances and will soon appoint the consultants for the new plan.
"The consultants have been chosen keeping in mind their experience in handling such projects and can suggest a plan where hindrance-free land is available. It will be a joint venture between two consultants who will submit a detailed project report in eight months. This report will include statutory clearances for land acquisition, a new alignment for the bypass, soil testing and a topographical survey as most of the bypass will run along the Yamuna," said a senior official connected with the project.
Construction will start only after getting the requisite clearances from the Delhi government, Delhi Urban Art Commission (DUAC) and UTTIPEC, the apex infrastructure body. As the 27km bypass — from Kalindi Colony near the Yamuna to Palwal in Haryana along the western banks of the river — will be close to the Jasola bird sanctuary, the project will also need environmental clearance. Land will also have to be acquired from the UP irrigation department as it has an office and a residential colony in the area, said PWD officials.
"The consultants will conduct a detailed feasibility study and work around the hurdles faced by the project. The government will then take a final call on the suggestions," said the official.
They will also consider a plan to build the road near the Yamuna bank on stilts. "The road will be elevated. The earlier plan had the road on the embankment, which invited objections," added the official. Around 30 boundary pillars have already been built near DND to mark the site of the bypass project and two kilometers of the land on the Yamuna embankment strengthened.
The bypass is supposed to create an alternative route for commuters travelling from Delhi to Faridabad apart from the Mathura Road, and would cut travel time. "It will decongest traffic on NH-2 between Kailgaon near Faridabad in Haryana and Delhi," said the official.
The government had earlier sanctioned nearly Rs 100 crore to construct the 14km stretch of the bypass that falls in Delhi. The remaining 13km in Haryana has already been constructed.
Construction on the 6.5km bypass from the Kalindi Kunj Colony Ring Road to Kalindi Kunj Road was awarded in March 2003 at a cost of Rs 63.41 crore. The project was to start on May 15, 2003, and to be completed by May 14, 2005. However, the UP government refused to part with its land.
Then In June 2006, the Delhi high court passed an order prohibiting road construction within 300 metres from the edge of the river. Later that year, the court modified the order, allowing a road to be built 120m away from the river. But the UP government refused to budge an inch on the bird sanctuary and sand mound near the Yamuna. In May 2007, PWD decided to stop the work after having spent Rs 52.50 crore on the project.
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