Corruption clouds gather over Delhi’s Barapullah Phase-3 flyover as the ACB launches a formal investigation with an FIR against unknown officers and a contractor. The case highlights egregious delays and cost overruns in a project meant to ease the capital’s notorious traffic snarls.
Triggered by Lt Governor’s directive in October 2025 on CM Rekha Gupta’s input, the inquiry addresses potential losses running into hundreds of crores. The EFC’s July 8, 2025, deliberations had already sounded alarms over procedural irregularities, urging a thorough probe into arbitration dealings by unqualified personnel.
Spanning 3.5 kilometers with four lanes, this elevated road from Sarai Kale Khan got the green light in 2011. Funding of Rs 1,260.63 crore was sanctioned in 2014, and L&T took charge in 2015, targeting a 2017 finish. Persistent issues like land procurement delays, environmental clearances for tree removal, and internal inefficiencies pushed it way behind schedule.
With Rs 1,238.68 crore already spent and revised estimates at Rs 1,330 crore, the new deadline is June 2026. PWD has been ordered to submit all files to ACB, which is diving deep into the paperwork. L&T assures cooperation amid the unfolding scrutiny.
Invoking anti-corruption laws, this action underscores systemic flaws in project execution. For commuters enduring daily gridlock, the outcome could determine if justice prevails over bureaucratic inertia, setting precedents for future infrastructure endeavors.
