The much-anticipated Mukarba Chowk underpass project in Delhi, intended to ease traffic congestion on the Outer Ring Road, continues to face significant delays, much to the frustration of commuters. Initially planned as a 12-month project with completion expected in September 2023, the underpass near the Haiderpur Metro station on the Outer Ring Road-GT Karnal intersection has now been under construction for two years, with no clear end in sight. The project has been hindered by land acquisition challenges and the relocation of high-tension power lines, leaving motorists to endure prolonged traffic chaos.
The underpass, managed by the Public Works Department (PWD), was conceived to provide much-needed relief at one of the busiest junctions in Delhi, frequently used by both local traffic and those traveling towards Haryana. However, despite substantial progress in constructing key components of the underpass, several bureaucratic and logistical hurdles have delayed its completion.
Land acquisition hurdles
One of the primary reasons for the delay is the transfer of land for a major drain managed by the Delhi government’s Irrigation and Flood Control Department (IFCD), which runs adjacent to the underpass. According to officials familiar with the matter, the land transfer, which is crucial for completing the underpass, is still pending. This bottleneck has prevented the completion of key construction tasks, further pushing back the project timeline.
An official from PWD acknowledged the issue, stating, “A large chunk of the construction work, including ramps, thrust beds, and the development of RCC concrete boxes, is complete. However, the land transfer for the drain is still awaited, and until that happens, we cannot proceed with the remaining tasks.”
Delays in utility relocation
In addition to the land acquisition hurdles, the relocation of utilities, particularly high-tension power lines, has also contributed to the prolonged delay. The shifting of a gas pipeline was successfully completed in November 2023, and a payment of ₹5.15 crore was made to the power distribution company, Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL), for relocating the lines. However, the relocation of a 66KV power line remains pending due to the unavailability of necessary land.
A spokesperson for TPDDL said, “Following the payment from PWD for the relocation of power lines, we promptly shifted the 33KV power line. However, we are awaiting a clear right of way (ROW) from PWD for relocating the 66KV line. Once the ROW is provided, we are committed to completing the relocation at the earliest.”
Prolonged traffic disruption
For motorists, the delay in completing the underpass has meant two years of traffic congestion, compounded by ongoing Metro construction between Madhuban Chowk and Mukarba Chowk. The Delhi Traffic Police has issued multiple advisories in recent months, cautioning commuters about the extended construction timeline.
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In one of its advisories last month, the traffic police warned, “Commuters using the Outer Ring Road daily are informed that the construction work of the underpass is being carried out by PWD and will remain under construction for the next three months. Metro construction work at Madhuban Chowk is also being carried out by DMRC. Due to this, traffic is affected during peak hours.”
Underpass to ease congestion, when complete
Once completed, the underpass is expected to significantly reduce traffic congestion at Mukarba Chowk and shorten travel distances for commuters. The project, estimated at a cost of ₹59.5 crore, aims to provide a direct route from Max Wali Road towards Shalimar Bagh, reducing the current travel distance by 1.5 km. Vehicles coming from Badli and heading towards Shalimar Bagh will no longer need to use the main loop at Mukarba Chowk, easing the overall traffic load.
The new underpass is particularly expected to benefit residents of nearby areas like Badli village, SGT Nagar, and other adjoining colonies, providing them with a shorter route to Shalimar Bagh, Adarsh Nagar, and Azadpur.
Outlook
While progress is being made, the ongoing delays highlight the complexities of infrastructure projects in densely populated urban areas. With the land acquisition and utility relocation issues still unresolved, it remains unclear when the Mukarba Chowk underpass will finally be open to the public. For now, commuters will have to continue navigating the congestion that has plagued the area for two years.
