Probe Ordered Into Delayed Barapullah Flyover Project, Rekha Gupta Points to Previous AAP Government

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Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday, July 28, 2025, ordered an Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) probe into alleged irregularities and a significant ₹175 crore (approximately 21 million USD) payment made to the contractor of the long-delayed Barapullah Elevated Road Phase-III project. Gupta squarely placed the blame on “negligence and mismanagement” by the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government during a high-level review meeting at the Delhi Secretariat.

The Barapullah Elevated Road Phase-III, a crucial 6.2-kilometer stretch designed to connect Sarai Kale Khan to Mayur Vihar Phase-III and ease traffic congestion between South and East Delhi, has been plagued by significant delays and cost overruns. The project was sanctioned in 2011, with construction commencing in 2015 and an initial deadline of 30 months. However, work stalled midway, leading to arbitration. In May 2023, the Delhi High Court directed the government to pay ₹175 crore to the contractor, an amount that included interest and Goods and Services Tax (GST), after the Public Works Department (PWD) failed to act on earlier settlement offers. This payment was reportedly cleared during the tenure of then-PWD Minister Atishi.

Chief Minister Gupta criticized the previous administration, stating, “This isn’t just a case of delay, it’s a case of public money being wasted due to inaction.” She further alleged that the contractor had initially proposed a settlement of ₹35 crore, which the AAP government “ignored entirely,” costing the city an additional ₹140 crore. The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) also highlighted that the AAP government “neither filed a review petition nor acted against the officers responsible” for the cost overruns.

The probe will extend beyond political leadership, with Gupta indicating that senior officials within the PWD could also face scrutiny. “There may have been complicity within the department. The ACB will investigate all angles, including the role of officers who failed to act,” she asserted.

Despite the ongoing investigation, the Delhi government has assured that construction on the flyover will continue without further delays. Officials stated that 87% of the work is complete, with the remaining progress pending environmental clearance for tree removal, which is reportedly nearing approval. Originally budgeted at ₹1,260 crore, the project’s estimated cost has now swelled to ₹1,330 crore. The Barapullah Phase-III project, intended to be a vital traffic solution, has instead become a symbol of administrative inefficiency and political dispute, with the current government pledging to hold those responsible accountable while pushing for its long-awaited completion.