AAP legislator Praveen Kumar throws open 'unfinished' underpass

NEW DELHI: The much-delayed underpass at south Delhi's Jangpura was opened to public by AAP legislator Praveen Kumar with the help of residents on Sunday.

Kumar and the residents had issued a notice to South Corporation stating that if it failed to open the underpass by November 1, they will inaugurate it themselves. The underpass was constructed to reduce traffic congestion in the area.

Kumar said the corporation has been sitting on the project for a long time. "It probably wanted to inaugurate the underpass just before the 2017 municipal elections. There are massive jams in the area, which could have been curbed if it was opened on time. Even after its completion, the corporation refused to open it citing technical issues," he said.

South Corporation officials claimed that although the civil work on the underpass was completed three months ago the electrical work is still left, which caused the delay.

Farhad Suri, local councillor and Congress member who initiated the project, said, "I started it in 2011 and due to a financial crunch we couldn't complete it on time. Officials have claimed that the electrical work will be done within a day or two and then we will open it for public. The Delhi government has no role in this as this is our project. I will write to the LG and police to take strict actions against them. The MLA will be responsible if anything happens due to this negligence".

South Corporation mayor Subhash Arya, too, condemned the step taken and said that if any mishaps happen, it would be the Delhi government's fault. "If Delhi government initiates a project which is delayed, then how will they react if the corporation inaugurates it unofficially? The MLA has acted irresponsibly and we condemn this step," said Arya.