Tue Oct 07 19:57:42 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article rewrite of the provided text:

**Summary:**

The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi has ordered an investigation into the massive delays, cost overruns, and arbitration payouts associated with the Barapullah Phase-III elevated road project. The project, intended to ease traffic across the Yamuna, is years behind schedule and has accrued significant arbitration claims from the contractor, Larsen & Toubro (L&T). The L-G is questioning the role of government officials and the policy framework that allows contractors to claim exorbitant amounts, drawing comparisons to similar issues with another L&T project undertaken ahead of the G20 summit.

**News Article:**

**Delhi L-G Orders Probe into Barapullah Flyover Debacle: Project Faces Massive Delays, Cost Overruns**

**New Delhi, October 8, 2025:** The Barapullah Phase-III elevated road project, aimed at easing traffic congestion in Delhi, is now under the scanner as Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena has ordered an Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) probe into the project’s “extraordinary delays,” escalating costs, and hefty arbitration payouts. The project, initially slated for completion in 2017 at a cost of ₹1,260 crore, remains unfinished, and arbitration claims have ballooned to ₹760 crore.

The flyover which intended to link Sarai Kale Khan to Mayur Vihar Phase-III has been plagued by delays and issues. The L-G’s office stated that prolonged delays have resulted in significant cost overruns, including arbitration penalties paid to the contractor, Larsen & Toubro (L&T). The probe comes after a recommendation from Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.

The 6.2-kilometer corridor, conceived in 2011, was intended to alleviate traffic congestion across the Yamuna River. While a previous PWD inquiry committee blamed land acquisition and forest clearances, L-G Saxena deemed the inquiry “inadequate” and emphasized the project manager’s responsibility for ensuring timely construction and securing regulatory clearances.

Multiple arbitration awards in favor of L&T have exacerbated the project’s financial woes. The Delhi High Court had to intervene in one instance, ordering the attachment of PWD accounts and the payment of ₹170 crore after L&T wasn’t paid in time after an award. PWD Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh has now announced a new deadline of mid-2026 for completion.

L-G Saxena has also raised concerns about the policy framework that permits contractors to raise excessive arbitration claims, even when at fault. He drew a parallel to the Bharat Mandapam underpass project, also executed by L&T, where similar inflated claims emerged. The ACB probe will examine the roles of Ministers, senior PWD officials, and other agencies involved in the Barapullah project.

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