Delhi PWD Minister promises skywalk at Laxmi Nagar crossing for pedestrian safety
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh on Saturday, 18 July announced that the busy Laxmi Nagar intersection in East Delhi will soon receive a modern pedestrian skywalk, modelled on — and reportedly superior to — the existing structure at ITO. The announcement came during the Minister's 'Government on Wheels' campaign, a field inspection drive covering development works and anti-waterlogging measures across the constituency.
'Just as Delhi has a skywalk at ITO, we will build an even better and more beautiful skywalk here and dedicate it to the people of East Delhi,' Singh said at the site.
Key Announcements at Laxmi Nagar
The proposed skywalk is intended to enhance pedestrian safety and ease traffic congestion at one of East Delhi's most heavily used crossings. No timeline or cost estimate for the project was disclosed at this stage. The Minister framed the initiative as part of a broader push to clear a backlog of civic projects that had, in his words, remained pending for 10, 15 and even 20 years.
Waterlogging Inspections at Patparganj and Jhilmil
During the same visit, Singh inspected the Patparganj Highway stretch and the Jhilmil Underpass — two locations long identified as major monsoon waterlogging hotspots. He recalled that Patparganj had, after Minto Bridge, become one of Delhi's most recognised symbols of urban flooding, with images of submerged buses regularly dominating television coverage during the rainy season.
The Minister claimed that sustained planning, improved inter-departmental coordination and continuous monitoring have produced a visible change on the ground. 'There was a time when people prayed that it should not rain because they feared waterlogging. Today, we ask people to pray for more rainfall because nearly 80–90 per cent of Delhi's waterlogging problem has already been addressed,' he said.
What the Government Said on Pending Projects
Singh attributed the acceleration of long-delayed infrastructure work to coordinated efforts among the Public Works Department (PWD), Delhi Jal Board (DJB), the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, and other engineering agencies. He said that the remaining critical locations requiring permanent engineering solutions are also being taken up and will be resolved in the coming period, without specifying a deadline.
Officials and MLAs Present
The Minister was accompanied by Chief Whip and Laxmi Nagar MLA Abhay Verma, Patparganj MLA Ravinder Singh Negi, Trilokpuri MLA Ravikant, Shahdara MLA Sanjay Goyal, along with senior officials, engineers and public representatives. Singh acknowledged the role played by local MLAs in surfacing civic grievances and translating them into actionable projects.
With the skywalk promise now on record and monsoon pressure intensifying, residents of East Delhi will be watching closely to see whether the announcement moves from campaign platform to construction site.