Delhi Launches ₹72 Lakh Audit to Upgrade Ageing City Flyovers
Delhi’s ageing flyover network is set for a structural and hydrological health check. The Public Works Department has floated a ₹72.2 lakh tender for audits of key flyovers at IIT, Modi Mill, and RTR, as well as culverts near Lala Lajpat Rai Marg. As cracks, worn expansion joints and missing safety barriers begin to surface, the city gears up for a data-driven overhaul of infrastructure critical to daily urban mobility.
With most of Delhi’s arterial flyovers ageing past the 15-year mark, authorities have initiated a scientific audit of key structures across South Delhi. Among those under scrutiny are the IIT flyover at the Africa Avenue junction, the old RTR flyover, two spans of the Modi Mill flyover along the Outer Ring Road, and a major culvert over Barapullah Nallah. The ₹72.2 lakh tender includes high-end structural and hydrological consultancy, with completion targeted over 540 days. Officials noted that preliminary inspections in May revealed surface cracks, missing barriers, and uneven central verges. Though temporary repairs were made, long-term restoration demands deeper diagnostics. A phased approach involving non-destructive testing, core sampling, rebound hammer assessments, and 3D ground-penetrating radar scans will be carried out. The audits will also inform retrofitting and tendering strategies for major repairs. Roadside signage, lane geometrics, and gore area redesign will also be reviewed to enhance commuter safety and prevent recurring accidents.
Parallel to these efforts, a separate component of the tender will assess and redesign a 300-metre stretch near New Ashok Nagar metro station—one of East Delhi’s high-footfall transport corridors. Planned upgrades include the construction of three new culverts and a detailed hydrological survey due to the area’s proximity to stormwater drains. Authorities aim to boost both pedestrian and vehicular flow by integrating footpaths, road markings, and crash barriers in the culvert redesign. Experts from the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), during a recent field inspection, flagged issues like absence of acceleration lanes at Modi Mill, abrupt bus stops after loops, and inadequate signage as contributors to persistent congestion and collision risks. Similar concerns were echoed at the IIT flyover, where poor gore treatment and lack of anti-glare panels near medians were noted. The audits are expected to standardise structural safety parameters city-wide, offering a much-needed roadmap for future infrastructure resilience.
Delhi’s planned audit and repair initiative marks a crucial step in confronting the capital’s infrastructure fatigue. With structural vulnerabilities increasing across flyovers that support tens of thousands of daily commuters, the city’s move to adopt a scientific, multi-stage approach reflects a shift towards more accountable and preventive urban planning. The upcoming assessment will not only drive repairs but also offer insights into long-term design upgrades, traffic engineering flaws, and sustainable transit solutions. As authorities work to meet safety standards, the project could serve as a model for other Indian cities grappling with ageing elevated infrastructure amid rising mobility demands.
