By IANS,
New Delhi: After several delays, Barapullah corridor – Delhi’s first fully elevated road – was finally opened to public Tuesday.
Built over Barapullah Nallah at a cost of Rs.498 crore, the corridor was inaugurated by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.
The corridor will reduce travelling time between Sarai Kale Khan and Lodhi Road from the present 40 minutes to less than 10.
It was constructed to ease the passage of Commonwealth Games athletes from the Games Village to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. The road was closed after the Games.
The Delhi government has decided not to allow trucks and other commercial vehicles to ply on the road.
“Even buses have to take a compulsory right turn towards the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium while going from Sarai Kale Khan side as the underpass built near Thyagaraj Stadium cannot accommodate buses,” an official said.
The Public Works Department (PWD) is constructing loops on either side of the elevated corridor to allow commuters from Lala Lajpat Rai Marg near Jangpura to access the road. The project is expected to be completed by March.
The Delhi government has also decided to extended the road over the Yamuna river to connect it with Uttar Pradesh (UP) link road, thus reducing travelling time between Noida and south Delhi.