GMDA's plan to revamp the 11-km stretch connecting IFFCO Chowk to Dwarka Expressway remains stalled, despite its approval in October 2022, due to land encroachments and limited availability. Narrowed sections, particularly in Basai, and illegal property extensions have hampered progress. The project aims to ease traffic in old Gurgaon with features like a grade separator, improved footpaths, on-street parking, and a utility duct. However, demolition resistance and land shortages for a parallel rail overbridge have caused delays. Without a clear timeline, residents face ongoing congestion and rising project costs, underscoring the need for swift resolution.
A comprehensive project report (DPR) for the revamp of a vital section connecting the Dwarka Expressway to the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway has been prepared for almost a year, but the initiative is still on hold. The proposed plan involves enhancing the route from IFFCO Chowk to the Dwarka Expressway, passing through Sukhrali, Mahavir Chowk, Old Railway Road, and Basai Road.
Although the project received approval in October 2022, the GMDA has been unable to commence work, primarily due to land limitations and encroachments along the route. In Basai, the road's width has been narrowed from 60 meters to 40 meters because residents have unlawfully extended their properties, which will need to be removed.
The GMDA, however, has expressed concerns that the demolition efforts may encounter strong resistance from property owners, potentially leading to additional delays in the project. Furthermore, the authority is also grappling with land shortages for the construction of a parallel rail overbridge alongside the existing one.
A senior GMDA official mentioned that several issues, such as illegal encroachments and land limitations, need to be addressed before progressing with the plan. Despite these challenges, efforts are underway to improve this stretch and ease traffic flow in the older areas of Gurgaon. The project's cost estimate is currently being prepared.
Residents contend that without a clear timeline from the GMDA, the ongoing delays will lead to further public inconvenience and higher costs. According to Harsh Bhola, a Sector 9A resident, daily traffic jams continue on this stretch, and despite discussions about redevelopment by the civic authorities, no tangible progress has been made.
The 11-kilometer stretch consists of two main routes: IFFCO Chowk to Mahavir Chowk (4.8 km) and Old Railway Road to the Dwarka Expressway (6.5 km). It passes through heavily populated regions, including unplanned neighborhoods, wholesale markets, and commercial areas.
In contrast to the wide, well-planned roads of new Gurgaon, the older sections of the city struggle with narrow streets, regular traffic congestion, unauthorized road cuts, and inefficient traffic management.
As part of the project, the GMDA has pinpointed locations where it intends to build a grade separator to improve traffic flow. In addition to reinforcing and expanding the road, the redevelopment plan also includes the installation of on-street parking, improved footpath infrastructure, and a utility duct to avoid unnecessary digging.
Upon completion, the project will offer an alternative route, particularly benefiting commuters traveling from Jhajjar to the city and vice versa. Currently, most travelers pass through the Basai flyover and then use Hero Honda Chowk. Additionally, the revamped stretch will provide another link between the Dwarka Expressway and NH-48.
In conclusion, the revamp of this important stretch promises significant improvements in traffic flow and connectivity in the older parts of Gurgaon, where congestion and poor road management have long been an issue. However, the delays caused by encroachments and land constraints highlight the challenges the GMDA faces in executing urban infrastructure projects. Without a clear timeline for completion, these issues will continue to inconvenience the public and inflate costs. Resolving these obstacles swiftly is crucial to easing the daily commute for thousands of residents and improving overall mobility in the region.
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