In a major decision, the Unified Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure (Planning and Engineering) Centre (UTTIPEC) on Tuesday gave clearance to the ambitious Kalindi Kunj bypass project which will directly connect Delhi with neighbouring Faridabad. Sources in the PWD told The Pioneer that UTTIPEC has approved the alignment of the Kalindi Kunj bypass.

According to the designs, the bypass will start near the DND flyway loop and run parallel to it up to Jamia Nagar. Thereafter, the bypass will run over the Agra canal and will be made on stilts as it will be on the river bed — a model similar to the Barapullah flyover — after which it will connect to the Badarpur bypass.

“Once the bypass is completed, it will be the longest elevated stretch in Delhi. The elevation will be seven kilometres, with the total length of bypass being 11 kilometres,” the official added. Officials also added that the majority of the bypass would be stilted, since it dramatically cuts the cost of land acquisition. In addition to that, it would also require minimal demolition work. While the project was supposed to have been flagged off in May 2003, it was delayed due to land acquisition issues.

The bypass would provide relief to the commuters who regularly head to Faridabad through Ashram reducing travel time during peak hours. The project had already got lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung’s approval earlier. However, a major hurdle which yet remains to be resolved is the land acquisition matter as almost 10-kilometre  of the total 14-kilometre stretch is falling under the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation and Flood Department and the two Governments have to discuss to sort it out, said a Public Works Department (PWD) official, adding the project was to be been flagged off in May 2003.

Apart from that permissions have to be also procured from the Delhi Urban Art Commission (DUAC) and Yamuna Standing Committee. “The bypass will connect the DND flyway, cutting across the Agra Canal along the Yamuna, which runs perpendicular to Sarita Vihar and ends near Badarpur border, which further connects to Faridabad,” said the official.