Delhi's Barapullah Phase III to open on September 29

The brief

Context

The Barapullah elevated corridor is a signal-free flyover network in Delhi built by the Public Works Department (PWD) to ease east-south Delhi traffic. Its third phase, approved in 2014 with construction starting in 2015, was meant to be finished by 2017 but missed nine deadlines over nine years. The 3.5-km stretch links Mayur Vihar Phase I in East Delhi with Sarai Kale Khan, where it joins the existing Barapullah corridor. PWD Minister Parvesh Verma has now announced September 29 as the inauguration date, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah to open it in the presence of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.

Key facts

• Barapullah Phase III missed nine deadlines over nine years before the new inauguration date of September 29.
• The corridor was approved in 2014, construction began in 2015, and it was originally scheduled for completion in 2017.
• The Phase III stretch is 3.5 km long, connecting Mayur Vihar Phase I in East Delhi with Sarai Kale Khan.
• Joined with the existing Barapullah corridor, the combined stretch will run about 9 km, offering a largely signal-free link towards AIIMS and South Delhi.
• Project cost rose from about Rs 1,260 crore to about Rs 1,635 crore, an increase of more than Rs 370 crore.
• Delays were attributed to land acquisition, tree-related clearances, construction around the Yamuna and the Covid pandemic.
• The Delhi Anti-Corruption Branch registered a case earlier this year over alleged irregularities linked to the project; allegations are under investigation.
• PWD officials said both ramps and the bridge across the Yamuna are complete; the project includes a dedicated cycle track and pedestrian facilities.

Timeline

1. 2014Barapullah Phase III project approved.
2. 2015Construction begins on the corridor.
3. 2017Original completion deadline; missed.
4. January (this year)Officials say the project could take another 15 months to complete.
5. Around March (two months later)Delhi government approves revised cost of about Rs 1,635 crore and sets June 30 as the completion deadline.
6. June 30 (this year)Deadline missed with work still pending.
7. Saturday (before the announcement)PWD Minister Parvesh Verma inspects the site and announces the new inauguration date.
8. September 29Union Home Minister Amit Shah to inaugurate the corridor with CM Rekha Gupta present.

Who has a stake

• Delhi PWD — Executing agency responsible for completing the corridor, its ramps and Yamuna bridge, and for the repeated deadline slippages.
• Parvesh Verma, Delhi PWD Minister — Announced the September 29 date after his earlier June 30 deadline was missed; politically accountable for delivery.
• Rekha Gupta, Delhi Chief Minister — Will be present at the inauguration; her government approved the revised cost of about Rs 1,635 crore.
• Amit Shah, Union Home Minister — Scheduled to inaugurate the long-delayed corridor on September 29.
• Delhi Anti-Corruption Branch — Investigating a case registered earlier this year over alleged irregularities linked to the project's delays and cost escalation.
• Commuters of East and South Delhi — Stand to gain a largely signal-free 9-km link towards AIIMS and South Delhi, plus a cycle track and pedestrian facilities.

Why it matters

A project meant to be finished in 2017 has taken over nine years and cost more than Rs 370 crore extra, illustrating how land acquisition, environmental clearances and riverfront construction can derail urban infrastructure. The Anti-Corruption Branch case adds an accountability dimension to what is otherwise a traffic-decongestion story. For commuters, the payoff is a roughly 9-km signal-free corridor from Mayur Vihar to South Delhi with cycling and pedestrian provisions.