We are used to projects never being completed on time. But when Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal inaugurated the Azadpur-Prembari Pul elevated corridor ahead of schedule it was nothing short of a Diwali miracle. And it wasn’t just time that was saved as Rs 100 crore was shaved off the sanctioned cost too.
Kejriwal and Union Minister Harsh Vardhan praised former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit for initiating the project during her tenure in 2013.
The 1.6-km elevated corridor will de-congest areas like Ashok Vihar, Shalimar Bagh and Wazirpur and allow unhindered traffic flow along the entire 44-km Ring Road.
The AAP government has completed the construction at an actual cost of Rs 147 crore as against a sanctioned outlay of Rs 247.17 crore.
“The entire credit for initiating the Azadpur-Prembari Pul elevated corridor goes to Dikshit. When we took over the government, only 20-30 per cent of the work on this project was completed but, in last eight months, we have completed the remaining works and will do the same for other projects as well,” Kejriwal said.
He claimed it was the first time that a project whose sanctioned cost was Rs 250 crore was completed at an actual cost of Rs 150 crore.
“We will now build two flyovers at a cost at which only one flyover was earlier constructed. We will not waste taxpayers’ money,” says Kejriwal. As long as the quality control is stringent as well, this will be a welcome move.