Pragati Maidan-Bhairo Marg tunnel to be completed in 8-9 months after Centre's nod: Parvesh Verma

New Delhi: The Pragati Maidan-Bhairo Marg tunnel will be completed in eight to nine months after getting approval from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Delhi PWD Minister Parvesh Verma said on Monday.

Verma, along with BJP MP Manoj Tiwari and Public Works Department (PWD) engineers, inspected the upcoming tunnel to take stock of the work.

"We have completed all technical reviews and submitted the proposal for final approval to the Centre. Once we receive the go-ahead, we will resume work after the monsoon. This last underpass is vital for decongesting traffic around Pragati Maidan, and we are fully committed to completing it at the earliest," Verma said.

The tunnel, which forms a part of the Pragati Maidan transit corridor, is intended to provide a route for commuters travelling from Central Delhi to Sarai Kale Khan, ISBT, Ashram, and other areas.

According to a government statement, the only work remaining is on a 28-metre stretch in the underpass number five.

Currently, only half of the underpass has been opened as the other ramp has not been completed. It was supposed to be opened along with the main tunnel at Pragati Maidan.

"Due to technical issues, construction was halted in 2023 after the precast concrete boxes sank due to flooding caused by the nearby Yamuna River. The engineering challenges combined with the sensitivity of working under live railway lines demanded expert intervention," the statement added.

The PWD minister said the project was delayed due to the Yamuna flood two years ago and the "negligence" of the previous government.

"We consulted top institutions like IIT-Delhi, IIT-Bombay, and CBRI to find a viable and safe solution. Based on their recommendations, we have proposed a switch to the cast-in-situ construction method, which avoids disturbing the railway tracks and minimises ground risks," Verma added.

As per the revised strategy, the width of one side of the underpass will reduce from 11.5 metres to 6.25 metres, and the height will reduce from 5.5 metres to 3.9 metres. This means the underpass will now be restricted to light motor vehicles only.