Construction of 18 flyovers in the Capital in the run-up to the Commonwealth Games 2010 not only benefitted daily commuters immensely, but also facilitated lesser fuel consumption and saving precious man-days.

A study conducted by the Public Works Department (PWD) states that these structures constructed for Rs 3,148 crore have resulted in saving of Rs 2,698 crore, excluding the cost of carbon credit earned.

The cost-benefit analysis, conducted by PWD, shows that the road has cut short travel time and fuel consumption substantially for commuters. The 18 flyovers include the elevated road at Barapullah, flyovers at Munirka, RTR Marg, Ring Road bypass, flyover at Naraina, UP link Road flyover and grade separators at Mangolpuri, Mukarba Chowk, Jwala Heri, Azadpur, Nangloi, Ghazipur and Shastri Nagar, among others. The extent of reduction in travel time and associated savings in man hours, fuel consumption and reduced emissions over a period of seven years has been calculated and compiled in a comprehensive report by the PWD.

According to the analysis, the projects of grade separator at Mangolpuri, Mukarba Chowk, ITO Chungi, Shyam lal College and corridor improvement of Road No. 56 (Anand Vihar project) recovered the cost of construction within the first year of their commissioning. The analysis further says Rs 2, 698 crore has been saved in terms of monetised value of fuel and it is estimated to save 2,096 million man hours till 2013. The pattern of analysis shows that total 622 million litres of fuel have been saved during the same period.

“The money spent on the construction of these 18 projects was fully recovered by 2011, i.e., within three years of the completion of the projects. Third year onwards, they have become earning assets for the city, helping people save time and money,” said PWD Minister Raj Kumar Chauhan. These assets are expected to give an approximate return of 37 times the cost of construction in 40 years (since their commissioning),” said Chauhan.