LalaLajpatRai Road, the critical link between the southern and central part of Delhi, may witness major congestion in September when the Public Works Department (PWD) of Delhi government begins repair and rehabilitation work on the Defence Colony flyover at an estimated cost of Rs 3.81 crore. A PWD official said that for carrying out the repairs, one carriageway of the flyover will be closed at a time and two-way traffic movement will take place on the other side, but the traffic police is yet to be consulted.    

It is said that cracks have been appeared in the flyover which was damaged in a fire that gutted several shops below it in May 2011. The PWD had then dismissed them as 'superficial' and inconsequential for the strength or load-bearing capacity of the structure.    

After the fire, work on the repair and rehabilitation plan had been started. Though there was no major structural damage, repairs had become due. Hydraulic jacks will be used to lift spans of the flyover and then bearings will be replaced and expansion joints repaired.    

It will be done in the same manner as the ITO bridge, said a PWD spokesperson. The tenders for the work have already been floated and the traffic diversion plan will be worked out with the traffic police. The work will continue for four to five months but the traffic movement will be affected for less than a month.    

The central verge of the flyover will be demolished and we will try not to close the entire carriageway but at some intervals" said a senior PWD official handling the project.