Delayed NTPC Chowk underpass in Noida to be completed by year-end

The underpass project at the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Chowk is likely to be completed only by the end of 2017, officials said. The project, which is around 60% complete, is already running behind schedule.

The underpass project at the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Chowk is likely to be completed only by the end of 2017, officials said. The project, which is around 60% complete, is already running behind schedule.

The underpass is to cost ₹52 crore and will be around 730-metre-long and have six lanes. (Salman Ali/HT Photo)

The underpass, located at the intersection of sectors 25A, 24, 33A and 22 on Master Plan 2 road, is crucial to ease the daily traffic congestion at NTPC Chowk, which is one of the busiest intersections in the city. The underpass is to cost ₹52 crore and will be around 730-metre-long and have six lanes.

The Noida authority had started work on this project in July 2015 and construction was scheduled to be started by 2016 end. However, work got delayed because it took a long time to shift the utility lines passing through the area where the project is being built.

“There were a total of nine utility services, including water and sewage (that needed to be moved). It took us more time (than expected) in floating tenders and then selecting an agency for the shifting work. Now, we hope all service lines will be shifted by March-end to make way for work on the underpass,” said SC Mishra, project engineer of the Noida authority.

“We hope the project will be ready by the end of 2017 if all goes as per plan,” he added.

Saumya Srivastava, deputy chief executive officer of the Noida authority, said work on this project will be completed without further delay.

“We have asked our project engineer to complete the project as soon as possible. The project was delayed because it faced many hurdles including the shifting of utility services,” said Srivastava.

“The opening of the underpass will ensure a smooth commute for thousands of commuters on Master Plan 2 road and on a road that connects NTPC Chowk with Dadri road,” he added.