Delhi: Policy interferes with infrastructure development projects
Planned to be an iconic tourist landmark for the city, at a height of 154m, Signature Bridge proposal at Wazirabad promised to be twice the height of the Qutub Minar. The idea of a new bridge going across the River Yamuna at Wazirabad was much debated prior to the requisite clearances acquired by the project from different departments. With an aim to improve the connectivity between the city and trans-Yamuna Delhi, once completed the project will also cater as an interstate corridor for Northern States and UP.
Due to absence of requisite forest clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forest , several projects were stalled. Signature Bridge is just one of the many.
Signature Bridge Project
The inauguration of the bridge was initially targeted to coincide with the Commonwealth Games 2010, but due to clearance issues and controversies, there has been repeated delays to the project. Failure of the DTTDC (Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation) to manage the events further increased the estimated cost of the project form Rs 459 crore in March 2006 to Rs 1,131 crore in February 2010, when the project was finalised. DTTDC’s unstable appointment of its chief managing director is considered as one of the reasons for the delay.
There has been a recent plea seeking stay on the project filed by an environment activist Vikrant Kumar Tongad causing National Green Tribunal (NGT) to issue a notice to the Centre. According to Tongad, the construction of the bridge is covered under the clause A of the Environmental Impact Assessment Notification Schedule, 2006, which mandates a prior clearance from the regulatory authority.
Is there a solution?
Well, yes! The concerned authorities should make sure that the project relies on the final completion date in September 2015. Once the new state government is formed, the project should be given utmost priority.
Corridor development projects by PWD
Several corridor development projects are also stalled. These include East-West Corridor Proposal from Akshardham Temple to Punjabi Bagh. Once completed, this will ensure smooth flow of traffic on this stretch. The project is approved by the Delhi Urban Arts Commission (DUAC), but only upto the Ring Road and yet stay stalled due to lack of government backing to the project.
Similar is the case of the North-South Corridor, which is expected to reduce significant amount of travel timings for the motorists.
In addition to all the measures announced in budget to promote infrastructure, government should also focus of clearing the stalled projects. This will not only enhance the infrastructure of the city, but will also promote real estate in the areas along these corridors.
