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NHAI projects along Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway to face major challenges

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The construction of flyovers and underpasses at Iffco Chowk, which is a part of the ongoing NHAI project to ease congestion along the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway and lighten the load at major bottlenecks, could be full of multiple challenges, as it is a complex intersection where vehicles converge from multiple points. At any time of day and especially in the peak morning and evening hours, long queues of vehicles can be seen at the Iffco chowk.

Highway authority officials admit that this intersection is a major challenge as traffic comes from five different directions namely, Old Gurgaon, Sector 17/18 dividing road, Delhi, Jaipur and from the Sikanderpur side. The convergence of vehicular traffic in an irregular manner and presence of heavy petroleum utilities, which are still to be shifted from the vicinity is the reason that the work on this project has been slower to take off as compared to other locations like Rajiv Chowk and Signature Tower.

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As part of this project, one flyover is to be built along Iffco Chowk that will facilitate the movement of vehicles from Jaipur to Delhi. Another flyover will be built just ahead of Iffco chowk towards Jaipur near the cremation ground to enable vehicular movement from Shankar chowk, MG Road, HUDA City Centre to take an extended U-turn over the existing flyover and move towards Delhi. This will also enable to route these vehicles towards Udyog Vihar, Old Delhi Gurgaon road as well.

Another flyover, which will begin from Jaipur towards Delhi, will route the vehicles from Old Gurgaon and Sector 17 and Sector 18 dividing roads toward Rajiv Chowk and MG road on the Jaipur side after taking an extended U-turn over the existing flyover.

Another major construction would be an underpass that will take the traffic from HUDA City Center to Sikanderpur. However, work on these projects is yet to hit top gear as major pipelines belonging to Indian Oil and the Gas Authority of India Ltd are yet to be shifted.

“We are in the process of shifting these utilities. The project is challenging as traffic comes from multiple sides but we have planned our work in a manner so that existing road space would be made available to motorists and commuters before digging starts”, said a senior NHAI consultant.

An official of Gawar Constructions that has taken up the responsibility of this project said that they have started widening the roads on both sides of Iffco Chowk. “We will work in a way so that traffic movement is not affected on site. We are working with the NHAI and traffic police to ensure the construction work does not harass commuters,” the official from Gawar Constructions said.

However, the planners conceded that though the construction of these projects will represent a major infrastructure boost, the project could ease congestion for only 8 to 10 years. But he said if the holder of a concession or grant for the use of land for trading rights, makes common grounds with the NHAI and the police and bring in more manpower and hi-tech equipment to ensure a strict enforcement of road rules, the benefit could be extended for up to 20 years.

Anvita Arora, a senior transport expert, said it is yet to be assessed if the planners accounted for the movement of pedestrians and non-motorised vehicles while laying out the plans for the project. “A large number of pedestrians use this intersection and if their concerns are not taken into account, the project will only benefit motorists,” Arora said.

Manoj Kumar, CGM, NHAI, said the project provides for sidewalks and some space will also be marked for the movement of non-motorised vehicles. There will be foot overbridges and escalators for the pedestrians as well. “The interest of every road user are kept in mind while planning these projects. All amenities proposed in the project will be delivered on time,” Kumar said.

“Once the NPR and SPR roads become operational and the bottlenecks are cleared, things will improve significantly. Gurgaon will also witness more holistic planning and development with the coming of the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority,” Sandeep Khirwar, the commissioner of police, said.

However, Khirwar and the other stakeholders voiced confidence that project will improve the traffic situation in the city.

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