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Central Vista Avenue Phase-1 to be completed by May
The redevelopment of the Avenue, which is a part of the Centre’s ₹13,500 crore Central Vista Redevelopment Project, started in February last year
The first phase of the revamped Central Vista Avenue, which was initially expected to be ready by Republic Day this year, will be completed by May, minister of state for housing and urban affairs Kaushal Kishore informed the Parliament’s Upper House on Monday.
In a written response to Rajya Sabha member Ram Shakala’s question, Kishore said, “The expenditure incurred till date is ₹418.70 crore... The first phase of the project is targeted to be completed by May 2022.”
The redevelopment of the Avenue, which is a part of the Centre’s ₹13,500 crore Central Vista Redevelopment Project, started in February last year. The ₹608 crore revamp work involves the construction of four pedestrian underpasses, eight amenity blocks, relaying of Rajpath, and the construction of pathways along with it and in the lawn. It also includes improving the canals and constructing 16 permanent bridges over them, construction of underground utility ducts for electric and other cables, etc.
The construction work resumed in February after the Republic Day celebrations were over. The Central Public Works Department (CPWD), which is the nodal agency for the redevelopment work, is working on completing the four pedestrian underpasses and eight amenity blocks.
“It took us some time to remove the structures and other arrangements that were put in place for the Republic Day parade. The work on the pedestrian underpasses and amenity blocks are in advanced stages of construction. We are also constructing open spaces near India Gate,” said a CPWD official, who did not want to be named.
The project was to be completed by December last year, but the pace of the work got affected due to rains last year and in January. The Republic Day parade was held for the first time on the revamped Central Vista. The CPWD refurbished the avenue lawns, paved the pathways along Rajpath and across the lawns with Lakha Granite for it. It completed the work on the underground utility duct for taking all overhead cables underground.
The canals were redeveloped and the 16 bridges over them were used during the parade to provide better connectivity between the lawns on either side of the canals for VIP and VVIP movement.
