Weekend eases pressure on Gurgaon, but it is not over yet
Traffic movement returned to relative normalcy after two days of waterlogging on the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway, barring some spots near the Hero Honda Chowk and a three-kilometre stretch from the crossing till the Kherki Daula toll plaza, after Saturday noon.
Traffic movement returned to relative normalcy after two days of waterlogging on the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway, barring some spots near the Hero Honda Chowk and a three-kilometre stretch from the crossing till the Kherki Daula toll plaza, after Saturday noon.
A large force of civic officials, police and construction workers were on the job throughout the day to undo the damage after the incessant rains. Morning rain along with kanwarias’ movement caused traffic snarls towards Gurgaon. But there was lesser traffic due to the weekend and most stretches were clear after 11 am.
At many stretches on the crisis’ epicentre —Hero Honda Chowk and stretches near Kherki Daula — roads had caved in. The Badshapur drain breach had caused a lot of water stagnation on the service roads.
At least 50 police officials (including traffic police) were present at the Chowk to clear traffic throughout the day. Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon officials and their contractual workers were also repairing roads.
The caved roads were barricaded, potholes were covered with metal sheets to let vehicles pass, a few damaged roads were cemented and bricks were laid as an interim measure to make a path to junctions.
Traffic moved slowly on the stretch, but it was a lot faster compared to a day before when it took two hours to cross.
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The services lane on either side of Kherki Daula Toll was unusable because of knee-deep water stagnant on them. Many pumps were flushing out the water. It will take at least 48 hours for the water to drain away completely, provided it doesn’t rain anymore, said MCG and NHAI officials at the spot.
Heavy traffic moved slowly through the plaza. But there was no stagnation of water.
At low-lying areas near Rajiv Chowk, heading towards New Delhi, water levels were still high near the service lane. At many places, people had created artificial embankments to stop water from entering their houses or offices. MCG workers were pumping out the water and desilting drains.
Heavy police deployment on either side of the main road ensured smooth flow of traffic.
There was heavy traffic from Mahipalpur in New Delhi till Signature Towers (Exit 7) between 9 am and 11 am. There were no major defects on the stretch.
But traffic returned to normalcy only after another 100 policemen were deployed.