The much-awaited 2.85 km Rao Tula Ram (RTR) flyover was finally thrown open to the public by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday connecting Munirka to Central Base Post office and has been named as “new RTR” flyover.
“It is a day of happiness for all the people as travel from South Delhi to IGI Airport and Gurguram will be smooth and easier now. Not only will people save time and effort, but there will also be a decrease in air pollution that was caused due to congestion. I want to congratulate the PWD and the people of Delhi,” Kejriwal said, adding that the Sheila Government had constructed 70 flyovers in 15 years and our Government has constructed 23 flyovers in just 4.5 years.
The new RTR flyover is expected to reduce the traffic congestion by 5-7 minutes from IIT to Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA).
The people of South Delhi, especially those residing in Munirka, Vasant Vihar, Vasant Enclave, Basant Gaon, Basant Apartment, Moti Bagh, Signal Enclave and Subroto Park had faced hardship earlier as traffic was diverted in the lanes creating chaos and congestion.
As per the PWD officials the project was approved in 2013 by the Delhi Government and work was started in 2014. The project was delayed due to various reasons. The Residents’ Welfare Associations (RWA) opposed this project and there was issue with the forest and environment department as trees were to be felled on this route. The project was stopped.
Moreover, besides the actual budget at Rs 205 crore, the PWD paid a sum of about Rs 28 crore as fine in the court for not completing the project during the stipulated time.
The inauguration was also attended by PWD Minister Satyendra Jain. “This corridor will be the first in the city as it was fully constructed on portals to allow movement of traffic below the elevated corridor,” said the PWD Minister.
The ceremony was also attended by the senior officials, such as Puneet K Vats, Engineer in Chief of PWD, Somnath Bharthi, MLA from Malviya Nagar. Suresh Gupta, Secretary of RWA of Vasant Enclave, said, “Though the project missed deadlines, we welcome it as it will provide a relief by reducing travel time as well as the traffic chaos. Till now, the due to heavy traffic the vehicles were diverted to the lanes located inside the resident colonies which lead to traffic congestion as well as air and noise pollution.”
Somant Mathur, Secretary, RWA of Vasant Vihar, said, “This flyover has brought a huge sigh of relief for the commuters especially those travelling to IGI Airport and Gurugram but the Sound and vibration barrier has not installed yet because of which there will be noise pollution and it will be the residents of this area who ahs to again suffer. We request the government to install it soon.”
L R Gupta, resident of Satya Niketan, said, “The RTR flyover has finally thrown open to the public after missing many deadlines but there will be not much impact on the traffic as the Moti Bagh traffic will clog this route.”
However, new RTR flyover will reduce traffic congestion and air pollution by saving 1,32,00 litres of diesel per day that lead to at least 25.8 tonne/day reduction in CO2 emission. 4.32 lakh trees would have been required to absorb this quantum of CO2. Around 7.7 lakh man-days per year will be saved. Total amount of Rs 75.74 crore. per year will be saved (i/c carbon credit of Rs 64.00 lakh / year). Break-even will be achieved within 32 months, added the PWD official. ar and others.
