NEW DELHI: In the past two decades, as it missed one deadline after another, it never seemed like it would ever be completed. But much to the relief of residents in the area, the flyover on Rani Jhansi Road was at long last thrown open to the public on Tuesday morning.The six-lane, 1.8-km grade separator will make traffic movement smoother along the crowded course punctuated by important stops such as St Stephen’s Hospital near the Tis Hazari Courts, Filmstan Cinema, DCM Chowk, Baraf Khana, Subzi Mandi and Azad Market Chowk.Residents and shop owners, who suffered an interminable wait for normalcy along the route, were a relieved lot. “The pace of work was so slow and the unceasing construction caused traffic jams and dust pollution,” said Ravi Kumar, an Azad Market shopkeeper. “It was a harrowing time for us, and now we only this will solve our traffic problems.”Some, however, expressed apprehensions about the quality of construction. Ruchin Garg, a Karol Bagh resident, pointed out that the road surface in some parts was uneven. “I believe the unevenness should have been checked before the inauguration,” said Garg. A few officials quietly admitted this, but reasoned that these segments were completed several years ago and might have become eroded.The flyover was inaugurated by Union science and technology minister Harsh Vardhan, who thanked the central leadership for the funds required for the project. Alongside were Union urban development minister Hardeep Singh Puri, minister of state for parliamentary affairs Vijay Goel, lieutenant governor Anil Baijal and the mayors of the municipal corporations.Puri said, “Some projects, like this one, were stalled for a long time, leading to suffering for the people of the Delhi. To complete such projects, political will and strong leadership is needed.”Baijal asserted that the flyover would ease movement for the five lakh commuters who use this route every day. Calling it a difficult project because it required the collaboration of the Railways, Delhi Jal Board, Traffic Police, municipal corporation and other civic agencies, he also talked of complications related to land acquisition and shifting of the markets and schools. Around 27,000 sq metres had to be acquired from other agencies, including private landholders, to execute the scheme.More than 15,000 sq metres have been developed as green space with provisions for rainwater harvesting. Five modern toilet complexes and car parking for 400 vehicles have also been created.The grade separator was planned for implementation 20 years ago in 1997. The work was awarded in 2006 and construction began in 2009, but missed nine deadlines due to “technical glitches”. It eventually took Rs 724 crore to bring the flyover to fruition, around Rs 600 crore more than originally budgeted for.

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