Punjabi Bagh Flyover Set to Open After December 20 Tree Permission Awaited, PWD to Initially Open 2 Out of 3 Lanes

Punjabi bagh, Delhi

New Delhi: The Punjabi Bagh flyover is expected to open for public use any time after December 20, as per officials from the Public Works Department (PWD).

The project has faced delays due to trees on the divider along the carriageway stretching from Raja Garden to ESI Hospital. The Delhi High Court's pending permission has forced PWD to initially open only two out of three lanes on one side. A similar issue at the Anand Vihar flyover has kept it closed despite being completed. However, with the Delhi assembly elections approaching, there is increased focus on opening both flyovers soon.

“We aim to complete the project by December 20. Once done, we will inform the government that the Punjabi Bagh flyover is ready. Although the trees on the road divider pose a challenge, we plan to barricade the area for now and allow traffic on the other lanes,” a PWD official explained.

The Punjabi Bagh flyover, spanning 1.3 km, consists of six lanes connecting the ESI Metro Station to Punjabi Bagh Club Road. It is a significant component of a broader corridor redevelopment plan. Initially planned for completion by January 2023, the deadline was extended to April and is now targeted for December.

A portion of this corridor was inaugurated earlier this year in March by former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

The ongoing construction has caused traffic snarls during peak hours, particularly on the Ring Road stretch, which handles heavy traffic connecting to Rohtak Road—a critical route for vehicles coming from Haryana.

Once fully operational, the flyover is expected to significantly streamline traffic in Punjabi Bagh. It will connect north Delhi with south Delhi, Gurgaon, and other parts of the NCR. Officials estimate that the project will reduce 1.6 lakh tons of carbon emissions annually and save 18 lakh liters of fuel.

The project was approved in March 2021 by the Unified Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure (Planning and Engineering) Centre (UTTIPEC). PWD Minister Atishi had instructed contractors to strictly adhere to deadlines.

This flyover is part of the Delhi government's broader decongestion plan. Under this initiative, 77 corridors were identified in 2018 as major traffic hotspots by six task force teams. To resolve these issues, the government is implementing solutions like road redesigning, and the construction of flyovers, underpasses, and foot overbridges. These long-term measures aim to reduce traffic congestion and pollution in the national capital.

Project Overview

• Name: Punjabi Bagh Flyover

• Location: Punjabi Bagh, Delhi (spanning between ESI Metro Station and Punjabi Bagh Club Road)

• Length: 1.3 km

• Lanes: 6 lanes

• Purpose: To streamline traffic, reduce congestion, and improve connectivity in Delhi and NCR.

Key Features & Benefits

1. Traffic Relief:

o Will connect north Delhi to south Delhi, Gurgaon, and other NCR regions.

o Reduces commute time and fuel consumption.

2. Environmental Impact:

o Expected to save 1.6 lakh tons of carbon emissions annually.

o Will save 18 lakh liters of fuel annually.

3. Congestion Reduction:

o Part of the 77-corridor redevelopment initiative under Delhi Govt's long-term decongestion plan.

o Designed to resolve traffic issues on major arterial roads, especially on Ring Road.

4. Challenges:

o Trees on the road divider are delaying full usage.

o Due to Delhi High Court permissions still pending, only 2 of the 3 lanes will be opened initially.

Timeline

• Start: Project approved in March 2021 by UTTIPEC.

• Deadline History:

o Initially targeted for January 2023.

o Extended to April 2023.

o Now planned for December 20, 2023.

Additional Context

• The project is a part of broader infrastructure efforts to decongest Delhi roads, including:

o Construction of flyovers, underpasses, and foot overbridges.

o Addressing 77 major traffic hotspots identified in 2018.