Work on the final underpass on Bhairon Marg near Pragati Maidan has progressed.

New Delhi: The Public Works Department (PWD) has set a deadline of February 2027 to complete the construction of the much-delayed Bhairon Marg underpass – a vital part of the Pragati Maidan Integrated Transit Corridor.PWD Minister Parvesh Verma has said that the “box issue” has almost been resolved and the agency will complete the project by next February. He said that Railways has given in-principle approval to stop train movement for a few days, after which work on this section will proceed.The issue at Pragati Maidan Underpass No. 5 includes structural failures: precast concrete boxes pushed under active railway lines through the “box-pushing” method in 2023 sank, broke and stopped due to severe water leakage leading to flooding in the Yamuna.The underpass is designed to provide signal-free connectivity between Sarai Kale Khan and Mathura Road. It aims to reduce transit time by reducing heavy traffic at ITO intersection and surrounding areas and improve overall traffic flow between East, Central and South-East Delhi, including major stretches near ITO, Rajghat and Laxmi Nagar. Once completed, it will allow commuters to bypass the congested Ring Road-Bhairon Marg junction.“It is set to ease travel for daily commuters from Noida and Central Delhi who use the Ring Road and Mathura Road corridors,” an official said.Officials said that since this stretch passes directly under operational railway tracks, the PWD had requested to stop train movement to prevent sinking of concrete boxes under the railway lines and also because intensive ground stabilization work cannot be carried out while trains are running.The transit corridor project, slated to be inaugurated in June 2022, is a 1.36 km long, six-lane main tunnel designed to decongest central Delhi by connecting Mathura Road to Ring Road. It has six underground underpasses: four on Mathura Road, one on Bhairon Marg and another connecting Bhairon Marg to Ring Road. Underpass No. 5, also known as Bhairon Marg-Ring Road Underpass, is the only incomplete part of the project.PWD has been struggling to fully operationalize the Bhairon Marg underpass for more than three years. However, once the Railways gives its permission, the PWD hopes to complete it by next February, Verma said.The project, funded by the Central Government, was built at a cost of over Rs 920 crore. It also aims to provide hassle-free and seamless access to the new world-class exhibition and convention center at Pragati Maidan, allowing easy participation of exhibitors and visitors.The main tunnel connects the Ring Road to India Gate via Purana Qila Road and passes through Pragati Maidan. The six-lane divided tunnel serves several purposes, including allowing access to Pragati Maidan’s vast basement parking.