Union Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Thursday laud foundations for a skywalk and a foot-over bridge at the ITO – one of Delhi’s busiest crossings – to reduce chances of accidents to pedestrians at the location crisscrossed by seven arterial roads.
The two structures are among the five projects approved by the ministry for a funding of Rs 643.58 crore.
The other projects – flyovers, underpasses etc – are coming up at Mahipalpur, Narela, ISBT Kashmiri Gate and Rani Jhansi Road.
“The entire cost of Rs 54.34 crore of the project is being funded through Urban Development Fund (Rs 43.47 crore) and by DDA (Rs 10.87 crore). The project is expected to be completed by March, 2018,” said a statement from the ministry.
The ITO area houses various high profile offices and other important buildings of national repute, including the Income Tax Office, the Delhi Police headquarters, the College of Arts, the University Grants Commission, and offices of several newspapers are few of them.
“Considering the importance and the high visibility of any skywalk in the area, the design of the skywalk should be unique, highly functional, aesthetic and should be recognized as one of the landmarks of Delhi,” said Puri at the foundation laying ceremony.
“Having going through the walkthrough and presentations, I am sure that upon completion of the project, not only the pedestrians will be provided with safe passage but the entire area will have a different look, which is definitely going to be a landmark in Delhi,” he added.