According to high placed sources, the government has directed the Public Works Department (PWD) to conduct surveys and prepare detailed reports, on which the department has initiated work.
“We have done some initial surveys and are zeroing in on a 10 km stretch from Mehrauli to Badarpur. If things go as planned, this could be the pilot project for the ambitious plan of the government to de-congest busy roads in the city. The government may go for Public Private Partnership (PPP) model for implementation as it will require huge investment,” said a senior officer of PWD.
He also emphasised that the Chief Minister himself is keen to bring the project on ground. “As we don’t have enough space to widen the roads, creating a separate elevated carriageway for light vehicles will be an excellent option to control the overflowing traffic on roads,” he added.
According to sources, if the pilot project succeeds the government can go for a blend of Light Vehicle Corridors over Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Corridors, in the near future.
Adhering to the current budget, the Delhi government has declared to add 10,000 more buses to the already existing fleet of around 5,000 in Delhi Transport Corporation which will need around two times more space on roads.
“According to a recent survey, around 80 percent space on roads in Delhi is used by private transport and the rest 20 percent is used by public transport system,” said a senior officer of Delhi Transport Department. PWD and transport departments have also been directed to find out the feasibility of elevated cycle tracks on the pattern of those in London and other foreign national capitals where cycle riding has become popular in recent times.