Union Transport and Highway Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday inaugurated an upgraded, revamped stretch between Dhaula Kuan and Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport and pledged Rs 1,500 crore for revamping of roads in Delhi. Accompanied by Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, Gadkari inaugurated the 8-km stretch revamped and beautified by the Public Works Department (PWD).
With an estimated cost of Rs 22 crore, the project was completed in nine months and the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) funded the project.
Speaking to reporters Gadkari commended the Lieutenant Governor for his “single-minded commitment” to the development of the national capital. The Union Minister also pledged an amount of Rs 1,500 crore from the Central Road Fund for improvement of related infrastructure in Delhi, said a statement from the LG office.
The fund will be used for projects envisaged by the Delhi Government and supervised by the LG, it said. Saxena thanked Gadkari for his support for the Dhaula Kuan-IGI Airport road beautification project and assured him that more suitable projects will be planned as a massive financial support is being provided.
The beautification program includes upgradation of road side horticulture, Pedestrian amenities, aesthetic improvement of existing features such as FOB and Grills, adding fountains and sculptures to the horizon and other articles of beauty as benches, coloured lights, scrolling screen on walls and LED screens on road.
Amongst other features, 30 high jet type fountains have been installed between Dhaula Kuan roundabout to NHAI Wall. Similarly, 9 stone fountains, 2 stone carved big and 2 stone carved small fountains have been installed.
Carved stone bull in front of pitcher surrounded by geyser fountains have been installed near NHAI wall. 2 big lions of grey stone of 13 feet height surrounded by geyser fountains have been installed near T-1 X-ing. 6 small lions of white marble looking in all directions have been also placed at this X-sing. 2 big elephants’ sculptures of pink sand stone have been installed near airport entry at Mehram Nagar surrounded by geyser fountains and cascade fountains.
All the sculptures and fountains have been elegantly illuminated. The land surrounding these sculptures and fountains have also been beautified by various (types of plants) Conocarpus, Champa, Ficus, Bamboo etc., (shrubs) Tecoma, Hamelia, Chandni, Hibiscus, Bougainvillea, Narium (Kaner) etc., (ground cover plants), Wadelia, Asparagus, Syngonium, Lantana, Chlorophytum, Inerme etc., (seasonal flowers and grasses) Petunia, Dahlia, Gajenia, Salvia, Nusturrium, Verbina, Calendula etc.
To display patriotism and nationalism, view cutters at Mehram Nagar have been installed with tricolour and Gandhi Ji’s Charkha.
