New Delhi’s traffic woes have a new twist with the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) cracking down on the Barapullah Phase-3 flyover project. In a major development, the ACB has registered an FIR against unidentified government officials and a private contractor over massive delays and skyrocketing costs that have bled the public treasury dry.
The probe stems from orders issued by Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor in October 2025, following recommendations from Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. Concerns were raised that the fiasco could cost the exchequer hundreds of crores. This came after the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) meeting on July 8, 2025, flagged serious lapses, including non-competent officials approving arbitration awards amid unexplained delays.
The Barapullah Phase-3 is a critical 3.5 km, four-lane elevated corridor linking to the existing flyover at Sarai Kale Khan. Approved in 2011 with a budget of Rs 1,260.63 crore in December 2014, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) bagged the contract in April 2015. It was slated for completion by October 2017 but stalled due to land acquisition hurdles, tree-felling delays, and departmental negligence.
Now, completion is eyed for June 2026, with expenditures hitting Rs 1,238.68 crore and costs ballooning to Rs 1,330 crore. The ACB is scrutinizing all project documents, directing the Public Works Department (PWD) to hand over records. L&T has pledged full cooperation.
This FIR under Sections 7A and 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act signals a deeper investigation into alleged corruption. As Delhi battles congestion, the spotlight intensifies on accountability in mega infrastructure projects, promising potential revelations that could reshape public trust in governance.