Delhi CM orders ACB probe into Barapullah Phase-3 corridor ‘irregularities', accuses AAP of ‘corruption'

Indian Express

28-07-2025

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta Monday directed the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) to probe 'irregularities in construction of the Barapullah Phase III elevated corridor' while accusing the previous AAP government of 'corruption' in the matter.
The CM issued the directions during the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) meeting on Monday. The meeting was also attended by Public Works Derpartment (PWD) minister Parvesh Sahib Singh and senior officials from the Finance and other departments concerned.
In response, the AAP said the BJP's 'four-engine' government has failed to take 'even a single meaningful step to address the concerns of ordinary citizens' despite being in power for six months. 'Instead of governing, BJP has focused its energies on delay, deflection, and distraction — flooding the system with raids, investigations, and baseless cases that have yielded no evidence,' it added.
Gupta highlighted that the project, scheduled for completion in October 2017, was repeatedly delayed and eventually ran into arbitration. 'The ruling favoured the contractor with an award of Rs 120 crore. When the payment was withheld, the company approached the High Court, which, in May 2023, ordered the PWD to pay Rs 175 crore, including interest and GST. The sum was subsequently paid during the tenure of then-PWD Minister Atishi,' said a statement from the CM's Office (CMO).
'During the (EFC) meeting, concerns were raised over the PWD's negligence and prolonged delays in the project. The Chief Minister instructed senior officials to ensure its timely completion, noting that the payment was necessitated because the previous government had prevented the company from executing the work,' the CMO said.
Gupta also accused the previous AAP government of 'not filing a review petition and taking action against officials responsible for the cost overruns'. The CM said the contractor had initially offered to settle the dispute for Rs 35 crore, but the proposal was ignored, resulting in the escalation of the matter to the High Court.
According to officials, the CM said 'the payment to the contractor hampered other PWD schemes'. Gupta further noted the possibility of PWD officials being complicit in the irregularities and said their actions would also be scrutinised under the vigilance enquiry.
Assuring that the investigation will not hinder further progress, the CM said the project, which also faced delays due to pending approval for cutting trees, will be completed on time.
An amount of Rs 1,260.63 crore was allocated for the project in December 2014. Construction work began in April 2015, with a stipulated completion period of 30 months. The original estimated cost of the project was Rs 1,260.63 crore, out of which Rs 1,238.68 crore has been spent so far, said officials adding that the new cost of the project is estimated to be Rs 1,330 crore.
Officials said Rs 150 crore has been allocated for this year, of which Rs 86.43 crore had already been spent. 'No further delays would be tolerated and assured adequate budgetary support to complete the project, which is expected to significantly ease traffic between South and East Delhi,' said the CM.
In May, the PWD minister had said the target is to operationalise the flyover by December. Earlier this month, the PWD had said it received permission from the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to fell 250 trees that are required for the project to progress. The project – a 3.5-km four-lane elevated corridor – envisages seamless connectivity between Mayur Vihar I in East Delhi and AIIMS in South Delhi.
The new flyover, which will merge with the existing Barapullah flyover at Sarai Kale Khan, is also expected to significantly enhance east-west connectivity.
It will also improve access to the World Trade Center at Nauroji Nagar and other key areas in the capital like Green Park, South Extension, Hauz Khas, Dhaula Kuan and Delhi Airport.