Mukarba underpass work stuck half-way

FINANCIAL CRUNCH POSES FRESH HURDLE

- Paras Singh

Nearly two years past its original deadline, the project to build an underpass at Mukarba Chowk on Outer Ring Road — meant to ease traffic congestion at one of north Delhi's busiest intersections — is stuck at just 52% completion, after running into financial hurdles, said officials from the public works department (PWD).

Launched in September 2022, the 59.5 crore project was initially slated for completion within 12 months, by October 2023. However, a series of setbacks — including land disputes, utility relocations, and now a shortage of funds — has hampered progress.

According to the latest PWD progress report, the land required from the Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) department has still not been paid for. “Payment for the land is yet to be made and the expenditure sanction for land payment of around 8.5 crore is awaited. The progress of the construction work is affected due to nonavailability of funds,” the report stated.