The underpass being laid at the Mukarba Chowk in North Delhi will be opened for public soon as the project is almost complete. The underpass is touted to resolve persistent traffic snarls at the circle once and for all.
Delhi’s PWD minister Parvesh Verma on Wednesday conducted an on-ground inspection of the Mukarba Chowk underpass project, reviewed progress with engineers and assessed the finishing work currently underway at the site.
The project, being executed using advanced jack pushing technology with pre-cast RCC box structures, is designed to significantly decongest the busy Mukarba Chowk intersection on Outer Ring Road.
The minister said, “There is repeatedly a massive traffic jam at Mukarba Chowk on this road. To fix this, our department has constructed three tunnels here through which pedestrians can pass. Around 98 per cent of the work has been completed.”
“The project will be inaugurated soon under the leadership of the Chief Minister,” Verma added.
The minister has assured citizens that wherever there is traffic jam across Delhi, the department is working with a clear focus, which is very clear that the people should not suffer due to infrastructure gaps.
Notably, the underpass will provide direct connectivity between Badli/ Rohini and Azadpur/ Jahangirpuri, eliminating the need for vehicles to navigate the heavily congested Mukarba Chowk interchange.
Officials estimate that nearly 15,800 vehicles will be able to use this corridor every with a smoother and faster traffic movement across the stretch. The project is expected to save up to 10 minutes’ time of the communter as it will reduce the travel distance by approximately 1 km per trip, offering significant relief to daily commuters.
It is expected to help save around 58,000 litres of fuel in a year.
On the impact of the project on the environmental, the officials said it would help reduce nearly 135 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually, equivalent to the absorption capacity of about 810 trees each year.
During the visit, the Minister Verma reviewed desilting work being carried out by the Irrigation & Flood Control (I&FC) Department on supplementary drains in the area to ensure the underpass remains waterlogging-free during the monsoon.
Emphasizing on the quality of work being done, Verma said, “This is not just about completing a project, it’s about improving everyday life. People who pass through here daily should feel the difference.”