Traffic congestions have become a regular feature on the busy GMS Road due to the slow pace of work on the Balliwala flyover. The irate locals suffering due to the work on the flyover which was supposed to be completed by October last year, accuse the State Government of not being serious on the project.
The work on Balliwala flyover was started on September 01, 2013, the task of constructing the flyover at an estimated cost of Rs2278.36 lakh was handed over to the Engineering Project India limited (EPIl). The 795 meter long flyover was expected to bring relief to the people of the capital but inordinate delay is causing problems to the people.
Interestingly the work on the project started without the requisite process of land acquisition. Some of the local residents and shopkeepers are totally opposed to the project and are questioning the propriety of constructing the flyover.
The spokesperson of GMS road Vyapar mandal Ajay Goel alleged that EPIl is not following the norms while constructing the flyover. He said that the Vypar Mandal has filed a petition in Uttarakhand High Court in the matter and the next hearing is slated on May 27. Goel claimed that the Vyapar Mandal only wants that the flyover construction should follow the norms. locals whose land is required to be acquired are demanding that they should be compensated as per the market rate of the land which is very high.
When contacted the Chief Engineer Highways PWD , Hari Om Sharma accepted that delay has occurred in the construction of the flyover. He informed that about 900 square meters of land is needed to be acquired for the project, the process of which is currently in progress. Sharma claimed that the reports that the flyover was initially four lane project are not correct. “The project from beginning was for constructing a two lane flyover and work on this is going on” he said.
The local residents and shopkeepers however continue to suffer due to delay in the project. Rajiv Kumar owner of a sanitary material shop on GMS road said that it appears that the state government is not serious to construct the flyover. Another local resident informed that one of a renowned school is located just where two pillars for flyover are constructed in middle of the road due to which the school kids are forced to move on the middle of the busy road, putting their lives at risk.