The Public Works Department (PWD) will resume repair work on the Sarita Vihar flyover from Friday, resulting in its partial closure until August 8. The flyover’s closure is expected to impact traffic from south-east Delhi, Noida, and Faridabad. Consequently, Delhi Traffic Police has issued an advisory detailing traffic restrictions and alternative routes for commuters. Repair Work Was Halted Due to Pollution PWD officials announced that the carriageway from Badarpur to Ashram will be closed for repairs. The department had initially started long-pending repair work in October 2024, but it was suspended midway due to rising pollution levels and the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to control dust pollution in Delhi-NCR. To manage traffic during the closure, at least 50 additional police personnel have been deployed on the flyover. A senior PWD official stated, “The repair work was delayed due to elections, the model code of conduct, and weather conditions. Fresh permissions were also required for traffic restrictions.” The Sarita Vihar flyover, located on Mathura Road, connects Delhi to Noida (Uttar Pradesh), Faridabad (Haryana), and parts of south-east Delhi. This is the first time in 24 years that the flyover will undergo major repairs. Multiple Delays Over the Years The PWD initially planned to start repair work in 2023. However, it faced repeated delays due to various reasons, including the untimely publication of traffic diversion notices in newspapers, which led to the withdrawal of traffic police approval. Other factors like the Lok Sabha elections, Kanwar Yatra, and rising pollution levels also contributed to the postponements. Traffic Advisory & Alternative Routes According to traffic police, commuters travelling from Badarpur in south-east Delhi towards South Delhi and Faridabad will likely face congestion near Mathura Road. Areas like Sarita Vihar, New Friends Colony, Okhla, and Govindpuri may experience long traffic jams. The route from Badarpur to Ashram via the flyover will remain closed. Police have urged people to avoid the affected stretch and use the following alternative routes: Alternative Route 1: Commuters from Badarpur can take MB Road towards Pul Prahladpur and Lal Kuan, turn right towards Maa Anandmayi Marg, Crown Plaza, Govindpuri, and then use Modi Mill flyover to reach Mathura Road and the Ashram. Alternative Route 2: Travellers can also use the slip road adjacent to the Sarita Vihar flyover, turn left towards Okhla, go through Crown Plaza and Govindpuri, and then take a right turn at Modi Mill flyover to reach Mathura Road. Expect Heavy Congestion Traffic police officials added that the movement of heavy and commercial vehicles will be restricted on Mathura Road between Badarpur and the Sarita Vihar flyover. For the past week, traffic has already been disrupted in Kalindi Kunj, Mathura Road, and Sarita Vihar due to restrictions in place for the Kanwar Yatra. With the repair work now resuming, traffic congestion in these areas is expected to worsen over the next two weeks.