Ghaziabad: CPWD team visits infra project sites, to submit cost report soon

The Ghaziabad development authority wants Central Public Works Department to execute the proposed projects as its ‘designs are better, and their execution of the projects will be time bound and cost-effective’

The Ghaziabad development authority (GDA) on Monday held a day-long meeting and visited several proposed project sites, including proposed sites for elevated roads and multilevel parking lots, in Ghaziabad and Indirapuram along with the senior officials from the Central Public Works Department (CPWD).

Jams on the GT Road have become a permanent feature near Ghanta Ghar in Ghaziabad. (Sakib Ali/HT Photo)

GDA officials said the CPWD special director general and his team arrived in Ghaziabad and visited various sites where the authority has proposed infrastructure, horticulture and other projects.

GDA vice-chairperson Ritu Maheshwari said, “The CPWD officials were taken to various proposed project sites in Ghaziabad. Their team has been asked to prepare a feasibility report, submit cost estimates and designs for the projects. We had approached the Union ministry for urban development to seek CPWD’s assistance for our projects. The agency has already taken up major projects in Delhi, and these projects have come up very well.”

Among the major projects that were discussed on Monday was a 2.5km elevated road at Ghanta Ghar to reduce congestion on the GT Road. The project cost, as estimated by the development authority, is more than ₹200 crore. Likewise, the authority has also proposed multilevel mechanised car parks at Raj Nagar District Centre and near the Swarn Jayanti Park in Indirapuram to address decongestion caused by unauthorised parking on roads.

There is also a proposal for development of a cultural centre at the city forest in Karhera.

“Some of these projects have been cleared, while approval for others will be taken up after CPWD submits their feasibility report. Then, the projects will be taken up for final approval. In principle, we intend to get these projects executed by the CPWD, but the final outcome will be decided once they submit the reports. CPWD’s designs are better and even their execution of the projects will be time bound and cost-effective,” Maheshwari added.

In line with their view to decongest Ghaziabad, the GDA recently signed an MoU with the Central Road Research Institute for development of a traffic improvement plan for the city. The research institute will submit the complete traffic plan within nine months, and a short-term plan will be submitted within the next six months.

Officials said that hiring expert agencies to create infrastructure in Ghaziabad will help make the city future-ready.

BOX: Proposed projects

2.5km elevated road from Ghanta Ghar to Bhatia Morh

Multilevel mechanised car park at Raj Nagar District Centre and IndirapuramCultural centre at city forest

Creating green belts in Sanjay Nagar and under the Hindon Elevated Road

Revamp of three existing gates in the old city

Rail overbridge connecting Madhuban Bapudham and erstwhile NH-58

Electric crematorium near river Hindon.