(a) whether the Delhi Government`s Tunnel Road Project to connect NH-24, the Games Village
in East Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, is likely to be delayed once again as the Delhi
Urban Art Commission (DUAC) has raised certain objections;
(b) if so, the objections raised by the DUAC;
(c) the time by which the Tunnel Project is likely to be completed; and
(d) the cost of the project to be escalated on account of delay?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT ( SHRI AJAY MAKEN )
(a): Yes, Sir.
(b): The views of DUAC are:-
(i) The arrangement would make Lodhi Road and east-west
connector in the City, wherein all traffic destined to NH-24
would pass through Lodhi Road, both from the South, West and
North, creating congestion at all intersections on Lodhi Road
and thereby demanding more flyovers at these connections.
(ii) The traffic around Race Course/Ashoka Hotel etc. would
also be congested attempting to use Lodhi Road to reach NH-24.
(iii) Although flyovers at other intersections may be possible,
(though not desireable at the least) but at Safdarjung Tomb, not
possible, due to the heritage site.
(iv) Also an underpass is not possible at this location due to
the Metro proposed underground. Safdarjung Tomb intersection
would remain a bottleneck forever.,
(v) The junctions of NH-24 and Ring Road, Pragati Maidan and
Ring Road, as well as Mathura Road, Pragati Maidan and Central
Vista system and Hexagon need to be strengthened and made part
of the overall proposal. Any proposal for linking NH-24 and
Lodhi Road should be seen in the total context of the City and
its total and comprehensive impact.
(vi) The entire environment in the region of Lodhi Road would be
degraded due to this proposal.
(vii) The proposed tunnel being extremely long would be very
expensive, and create great security problems.
(c): A time frame for completion of tunnel project cannot be
given at this stage in view of the issues involved.
(d): Till the alignment is finalised no cost estimates are
prepared and, therefore, an exact assessment of cost escalation
on account of delay is also difficult at this stage.