Vasant Kunj RWA blocks work on airport link

A city court on Tuesday stayed ongoing work on widening of a road in Vasant Kunj on a petition by residents that the construction violates their right over the land and could compromise their safety. The road widening is key to the development of an all new, congestion-free link to the airport and Gurgaon from south Delhi.

Public Works Department (PWD) officials plan to broaden the Mehrauli-Mahipalpur road, currently between 16 metres and 30 metres wide, to 75 metres and increase the number of carriageways from four to eight to reduce congestion.

Last November, the Delhi government gave financial clearance to widen the stretch from Andheria More to Masoodpur. The PWD estimated that work on widening the 3.5-km stretch from Andheria More to Masoodpur was likely to be completed by June 2013. Strengthening the existing road, improving footpaths and drains, providing retro-reflective road signages and upgradation of street lighting were also planned.

The widening plan proposed to take over land adjoining the main road. On February 20, the PWD began demolishing the boundary wall of the D2 colony and cutting trees.

However, the Residents Welfare Association of Sector D, Pocket 2, Vasant Kunj, representing 64 flat owners, sought a court stay on construction, saying they have a vested interested in the land.

Additional District Judge Vinod Yadav on Tuesday issued an interim stay on the work until March 13 and summoned the DDA, UTTIPEC, PWD and the construction contractor for replies on the petition.

The residents have argued that they paid for the land, which is being used for widening now, when it was being acquired years ago for developing the colony and they have a stake in it.

Their petition also claims widening work would destroy at least 1,000 trees, lead to safety problems and noise pollution once the work gets completed.

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