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The Delhi government has approved a plan to develop multi-utility ducts (MUDs) across the capital to address the recurring problem of roads being dug up for utility work.
The underground corridors will be used to accommodate essential services such as electricity cables, water and gas pipelines, fire-hydrant networks and other utilities. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the system will reduce the need for different agencies to repeatedly dig and repair the same roads. This is expected to ease traffic disruptions, reduce inconvenience for commuters and help preserve the condition of Delhis roads. She said the initiative is part of the governments plan to build infrastructure, keeping the citys future needs in mind. The project will initially be taken up as a pilot in Chandni Chowk. Two stretches have been proposed for the first phase 310 metres on Esplanade Road and 560 metres on Mor Sarai Road. The government will use the experience from these two locations to plan similar ducts in other parts of Delhi. An expert technical committee will be formed to oversee the project and provide guidance. It will include officials from discoms, the Delhi Jal Board, the Public Works Department and other departments. The ducts will have provisions for ventilation, fire safety, maintenance access and emergency response to ensure that different services can operate safely underground. The government said the project will bring a more coordinated approach to underground utility planning in Delhi. Instead of agencies carrying out excavation separately, common underground corridors will allow services to be maintained and expanded more efficiently, while helping the city move towards safer, cleaner and more organised infrastructure. (ANI)
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