Traffic flow in south Delhi may worsen in the coming week with the Public Works Department (PWD) likely to carry out repairs at the newly built Benito Juarez underpass. This comes at a time when renovation and construction projects at multiple stretches have already hit traffic flow in the area. The underpass was built recently to ease commutes between Lutyens’ Delhi and Gurgaon/Dwarka via Rao Tularam Marg. The closure of the underpass for repairs due to seepage and waterlogging is likely to add to the traffic mess.
A PWD official told Times of India that there is a drain inside the underpass that they need to connect to another drain to enable water to flow out easily. This work will take about a week, and the underpass was to be closed for repairs from Saturday. However, on Friday evening, PWD was considering delaying the work for a few days. The traffic police had given a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the week-long repairs to start from Saturday. The underpass closure may extend the traffic mess to more stretches, with work underway at Chirag Dilli flyover, diversions on a stretch of NH-48, and the Ashram flyover not yet fully functional.
The traffic police are prepared with their diversion plan. Those travelling from San Martin Marg will be directed towards Abai Marg, then Sardar Patel Marg, and then towards Dhaula Kuan for Gurgaon. Commuters coming from the other direction will have to take the Outer Ring Road to reach their destinations. Sources state that the PWD officials are contemplating a suitable date for the repairs, and they may decide to open the underpass during the day and shut it during the night. Another meeting will be held to come to a final decision, according to the TOI report.
The Benito Juarez underpass was inaugurated on July 2 last year by then deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia. It was originally planned as a one-way route for traffic coming from Gurgaon. However, it was soon opened for traffic on both sides. With the closure of the underpass, commuters may face longer commutes and traffic congestion. The situation is already challenging due to various repair works underway in different parts of the city.
