Delhi's 1.8 km flyover that took 20 year to be build still fails to solve the traffic woes

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Delhi's much-anticipated Rani Jhansi Flyover, a project that saw nearly two decades in the making, has recently come under scrutiny for its deteriorating condition and ongoing traffic congestion. The 1.8-km elevated road, designed to alleviate chronic traffic congestion in the city, was inaugurated in 2018 after overcoming numerous hurdles, including land acquisition challenges and coordination among various agencies. However, a recent inspection by TOI revealed that the ride on the flyover has become increasingly uncomfortable due to old expansion joints.

The central median lacks proper maintenance and greenery, while the walls bear the brunt of neglect, marked by dirt and grime. In addition, potholes have emerged on both the ascent and descent ramps, contributing to the overall decline in the infrastructure's quality. Experts point out that the flyover's design, characterized by serpentine curves, inadvertently leads to congestion during peak hours.

Local residents confirm that the layout causes traffic to bunch up, negating the intended benefit of smooth traffic flow. «The design seems to have backfired, as vehicles tend to collide due to these curves. Two-wheelers jumping over expansion joints have caused accidents,» Ashok Bhasin, president of the North Delhi Residents' Welfare Federation told TOI.

Land acquisition complexities, along with multi-agency coordination, were among the primary reasons for the project's prolonged timeline. The congested area required the relocation of several shops to make way for the flyover's construction, leading to administrative and logistical challenges. Even though the construction was marred by delays and protests, it was completed with additional funds allocated in the project's