Gurgaon: Ambience Group agrees to share cost of building underground U-turn

The U-turn underpass will reduce load of traffic on Shankar Chowk and enable commuters to cross the expressway from Udyog Vihar

The proposed underground U-turn on the national highway near the Ambience Mall may see light of the day soon, as the Ambience mall developer has in principle agreed to pay its share in the project. The authorities, however, said they are waiting for the consent in writing so that the formalities are finalised.

The cost of building the underpass will be shared between National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Ambience and DLF Limited. While the NHAI will share 50% of the cost, Ambience and DLF will foot 25% each. (Parveen Kumar/HT FILE)

The cost of building the underpass will be shared between National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Ambience and DLF Limited. While the NHAI will share 50% of the cost, Ambience and DLF will foot 25% each.

While the NHAI said it is prepared to complete the formalities before starting construction, the only hold-up is the delay in the official confirmation of coast sharing by the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG).

“As soon as we get an official communication from Ambience Group on sharing the cost of constructing the underpass, as discussed in a meeting held earlier, we will convey our consent to the NHAI. We are expecting the consent from the Ambience Group to come through soon,” V Umashankar, MCG commissioner, said, adding that the underpass on the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway, between Udyog Vihar and Ambience mall is critical for ensuring safe passage of commuters.

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The U-turn underpass will decongest Shankar Chowk as well and make it easier for commuters to cross the expressway from Udyog Vihar to the other side.

The officials of NHAI, MCG and representatives of the two stakeholders — Ambience and DLF — held a meeting at the road authority’s office on September 18. During the meeting, both the stakeholders recorded their consent to share the cost of construction.

Raj Singh Gahlot, chairman, Ambience Group, said, “We will communicate our official consent to share 25% of the construction cost to the MCG very soon.”

Ashok Sharma, project director (PD), NHAI, Gurgaon, said, “The NHAI has not yet received the consent from the MCG on sharing 50% of the construction cost. Once the consent comes through, the DPR (detailed project report) will be processed further to begin construction of the underpass.”