Barapulla flyover project: L-G orders ACB probe into decade-long delay

Delhi Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Vinai Kumar Saxena has ordered a probe by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) into the inordinate delay, stretching over a decade, in the construction of the Barapulla flyover project, which has resulted in losses worth hundreds of crores to the government exchequer due to cost overruns and arbitration payments to contractor Larsen & Toubro (L&T).

The L-G’s direction came while approving the proposal of the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) of the Delhi

Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, which had earlier recommended a detailed inquiry into the matter.

Calling the delay inexplicable and a matter of serious concern, Saxena noted on file that such long-drawn execution timelines raised fundamental policy issues in large-scale public projects. He questioned the inclusion of arbitration clauses that, he said, “provide incentive to contractors for making exorbitant claims even when the contractor is at fault.”

The L-G cited similar issues in the construction of the Bharat Mandapam underpass, also executed by the same agency, where glaring engineering defects had emerged ahead of the G20 Summit, posing potential embarrassment to the country.

Saxena further directed all executing departments to ensure that regulatory approvals are secured prior to awarding contracts, to prevent delays and financial losses in future infrastructure projects.

The matter, which dates back to the previous Kejriwal government, under which the Barapulla project was initiated, was taken up at the EFC meeting held on July 28, 2025, chaired by CM Rekha Gupta. The committee had decided that a thorough inquiry be initiated by the Anti-Corruption Branch and the Directorate of Vigilance (DoV) to examine approval and acceptance of arbitration awards by authorities not competent to do so, delay in execution and to fix responsibility of erring officials.

Following the meeting, the Public Works Department (PWD) referred the case to the DoV for onward submission to the ACB, as per the CM’s directive. CM Gupta had endorsed the EFC’s recommendation, noting on the file, “Action may be taken as per the decision taken in the EFC meeting.”

In line with the EFC’s recommendation, the L-G stated, “I am in complete agreement with the recommendation of the EFC that the matter be referred to the ACB for a thorough investigation and responsibility be fixed of all erring officials in the PWD, Revenue, DTL and other agencies as discovered during the course of investigation.”

Current status: Only 87% of the project completed