Dwarka Expressway
– Photo: Amar Ujala
Expansion
In a move to improve connectivity between Delhi and Gurugram, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has completed the construction of a link road as part of the Dwarka Expressway project.
This achievement is expected to make travel between the two cities easier, and avoid traffic congestion and signals. Whereas the eight-lane highway is mainly going to benefit the residents and commuters. This additional link road will further improve the overall commuting experience.
According to media reports, initial preparations for the inauguration are focused on two sections of the expressway. The first is Package 2 which connects Delhi’s Dwarka Sector 21 to Gurugram border and the second is Package 3 which goes from Delhi-Gurugram border to Basai Railway Overbridge.
Meanwhile, connecting Package 2 and Package 3 is crucial for the smooth functioning of the highway, making it easier for the people of Gurugram to reach Dwarka Sector 21 through an exclusive road. On the other hand, there are reports that Dwarka Expressway will soon be open to all and there is a possibility that Prime Minister Narendra Modi may inaugurate this much-awaited project.
Although no date has been decided, sources claim that the highway may open before the announcement of Lok Sabha elections. Gurugram MP, Rao Inderjit Singh has indicated that the grand inauguration may take place in the first week of March.
Spread over 29 kilometres, the Dwarka Expressway is an important infrastructure project connecting Haryana and Delhi. Whereas the 18.9 km long stretch comes under Haryana. The remaining 10.1 kilometers is in Delhi. This expressway starts from Shiv-Murti on National Highway 8 and ends near Kherki Daula Toll Plaza. According to reports, after the inauguration, passengers will be able to travel between Delhi-Gurugram in just 25-30 minutes, which currently takes more than 1 hour.
According to media reports, Gurugram Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav had earlier said, “We had written to NHAI, requesting them to open the Haryana section (of the expressway) as it will help the passengers a lot. However, we have not received any written communication from them.” While no response was received, we were informed about the progress of the project. Minor works like street lights, tiles and thermoplastic road markings are still pending. It will not take more than 15 days, and the inauguration date is late February or “Is within the first two weeks of March.”
With a value of around Rs 9,000 crore, the project will be completed soon. And the last two sections are expected to be completed by the end of February. Whereas the first two sections will be completed by the end of June. The project includes tunnels, underpasses, grade roads, elevated roads and even flyovers over flyovers. Interestingly, it has the widest 8-lane tunnel in Delhi, which is more than 3.6 kilometers long.