Delhi govt clears Rs 802cr plan to rebuild 400km of roads, cut dust and potholes

New Delhi: Chief minister Rekha Gupta has approved a Rs 802.2-crore road redevelopment project aimed at making Delhi's roads pothole-free, durable and more resistant to dust pollution. Backed by financial support from the Centre, nearly 400km of roads across 45 assembly constituencies will be upgraded under the plan. The project will cover more than 241 major roads and will follow a ‘wall-to-wall carpeting' model to ensure uniform strengthening of entire stretches, rather than patchwork repairs. Of the total project cost, Rs 643.4 crore will come from the Central Road Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) of the Union govt, while Rs 158.9 crore will be borne by the Delhi govt. The upgraded roads will undergo technical evaluation of the base layer, strengthening wherever required, proper drainage planning and final carpeting as per engineering standards. Key stretches identified for redevelopment include Outer Ring Road, Rao Tula Ram Marg, August Kranti Marg, Lala Lajpat Rai Marg, Dr KN Katju Marg, Shamnath Marg, DB Gupta Road and several roads in east and north-east Delhi. Public Works Department (PWD) will execute the project in phases to minimise traffic disruptions. Out of 1,400 km of PWD roads, 400 km will be carpeted this year and in three years, govt aims for 100% coverage so exposed soil does not generate dust, CM had earlier said.