Finally Delhi Roads To Get New Life

It seems that 2010 Commonwealth Games has become a boon for Delhi and Delhites ,as city never witnessed such an infrastructure development in its history. Delhites are well familiar with the bumps on Delhi roads as they are common, but now it seems they will get rid of their backache due to bad and bumpy rides as Government has planned to re-lay roads and new electric lights before CWG 2010. Here is the full article.


Come October 2010, all major roads in Delhi will look as good as new, freshly resurfaced and with perfect road markings. Or so the government has been claiming.

The public works department (PWD), the major road owning agency, has drawn up a map for micro-surfacing of all stretches which were laid or resurfaced barely two years ago. Roads which were resurfaced five or six years would be redeveloped using three technologies PWD sources said.

As far as micro-surfacing treatment was concerned, it involved putting a layer of bitumen on a stretch prove its longevity. This also improves the strength and protection of that stretch significantly. It is hard to imagine that the road was laid years ago,’’ said a senior PWD official.

He said this process would start on a war footing immediately after the monsoons.

"We wanted to start it early, but because of rains we will start it post-monsoon. During the Games Delhi will get the new look and more so with the new set of electricity poles and streetlights being installed on all PWD roads," the official added.

The department has reportedly finalized the plan to use micro-surfacing technology to resurface over 400 kms length of PWD roads in the national capital.

According to the elaborate plan, in the remaining stretches where relaying was carried out at least four or five years ago, the agency would resurface certain stretches using waste plastic. This could cover over 50 km lane length of major roads falling under PWD jurisdiction.

Sources said the agency was also looking forward to using recycling technology to strengthen the existing stretches ahead of the Games."This is an environment-friendly technology as we need less one and the already ed construction material except bitumen is utilized," a senior PWD official said.

Nevertheless, major portion of the PWD roads will be resurfaced using conventional technology. "It is a mammoth task, but can be completed in the stipulated time frame," said an official involved in the programme.

Official sources said the process of tendering and installation of road signage would happen soon and that they have submitted new designs before the government for approval. "It’s not just about giving a facelift to the stretches connecting Games venues but to entire Delhi," said another official.

Source : Times of India (Delhi Edition)