Pragati Maidan Tunnel in Delhi urgently requires repairs; PWD serves notice to the responsible agency

The renowned Pragati Maidan Tunnel in Delhi has now transformed into a potential hazard for commuters, raising concerns over public safety. Initially adorned for the G20 Summit, the tunnel is now presenting a threat to the general public, prompting the Public Works Department (PWD) to conduct a thorough inspection of the multi-crore six-lane tunnel and its underpasses.

According to the PWD, the tunnel is encountering various issues, with a total of 12 identified concerns. These issues include leakage, significant cracks in the concrete structure, water accumulation, inadequate drainage systems, inconsistent kerbstones, missing saucer drains, and unexplained groundwater seepage.

The Delhi PWD has taken action by issuing a show cause notice to Larsen & Toubro (L&T), urging the company to deposit a “minimum token amount of INR 500 crores” and commence repair work to address the technical and design flaws in the Pragati Maidan tunnel project.

The notice emphasizes that rectifying the design flaws and quality-related concerns would necessitate a substantial overhaul of the entire project, encompassing deficiencies in the transit corridor spanning along Mathura Road, Bhairon Marg, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, and the underground tunnel connecting Mathura Road to Mahatma Gandhi Marg beneath Pragati Maidan.

Specifically, the notice highlights the company’s failure to complete the construction of underpass number five near Bhairon Marg within the stipulated time frame. The PWD has provided the company with a 15-day window to respond to the notice dated February 3, cautioning about potential repercussions for financial and reputational losses resulting from project delays, particularly concerning the tunnel beneath the railway tracks.

In response, an L&T spokesperson characterized the PWD, Delhi, as an esteemed client. The spokesperson further mentioned that L&T has lodged a counter-claim of INR 500 crore against the PWD, Delhi.

The Pragati Maidan complex and integrated transit corridor, along with the Bharat Mandapam convention center, were developed in anticipation of the previous year’s G20 summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the main tunnel and five underpasses in June 2022.

The project, with a budget of INR 777 crores, aimed to establish a signal-free passage for Bhairon Marg, Ring Road, and Mathura Road, with the 1.3 km tunnel serving as the focal point of the integrated corridor and its associated underpasses.

A PWD official expressed disappointment, stating that despite multiple site inspections and assurances, L&T engineers failed to take action on the proposed solutions. The situation underscores the urgency of addressing the issues plaguing the Pragati Maidan Tunnel to ensure the safety and well-being of commuters and the public at large.