New Delhi, June 22 (IANS) The final deck slab of the delayed Barapullah Phase-III corridor was successfully cast on Monday, connecting both ends of the structure across the Yamuna River and bringing one of Delhi’s longest-pending infrastructure projects to the threshold of completion, an official said.

For more than a decade, Barapullah Phase-III became synonymous with delays, missed deadlines and unanswered questions. What was originally expected to be completed in 2017 remained unfinished year after year due to land acquisition disputes, environmental clearances, technical challenges and prolonged administrative hurdles.

The project, which began in 2015, saw repeated delays and significant cost escalation, with the revised project cost now standing at approximately Rs 1,635 crore.

Addressing workers at the site, Public Works Department Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh said: “Today is not just about concrete and steel. Today is about completing a promise that Delhi had been waiting for over a decade. This final slab represents the determination of hundreds of workers and engineers who refused to let this project remain unfinished.”

The Minister said that after the formation of the present government, Barapullah Phase-III was identified as a priority project and monitored continuously at the highest level.

“For years, Delhiites saw deadlines come and go. After our government came to power, we decided that this project could not be allowed to remain stuck any longer. I have personally visited the site multiple times, reviewed progress regularly and worked with officials to remove bottlenecks. Today’s milestone is the result of that collective effort,” he said.

The slab completed on Monday involved the casting of approximately 175 cubic metres of concrete. With this, the project has now crossed the landmark figure of nearly 4.5 lakh cubic metres of concrete, a remarkable engineering achievement that reflects the scale of the elevated corridor.

More importantly, the final slab physically connects the two sides of the Yamuna through the corridor’s structure – a moment many believed would continue to be delayed indefinitely.

Approved in 2014 and initiated in 2015, it was originally targeted for completion in 2017. Instead, it became one of Delhi’s most delayed infrastructure projects, with setbacks ranging from a seven-year land acquisition dispute and environmental approvals to technical challenges associated with constructing a major bridge structure across the Yamuna floodplain.

The Barapullah Phase-III elevated corridor is expected to transform connectivity between East and South Delhi. Once operational, commuters travelling from Mayur Vihar and adjoining areas towards Sarai Kale Khan, AIIMS and South Delhi will benefit from largely signal-free movement, reducing travel time significantly and easing congestion at major traffic bottlenecks, including NH-24, DND Flyway, Ring Road and Sarai Kale Khan.

–IANS

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