Gurgaon: Construction work on Golf Course Road throws traffic out of gear

Such was the chaos that commuters were taking over 25 minutes to cross the stretch from DLF Camelias to Sector 53-54 metro station and from Sector 53-54 metro station to One Horizon Centre.

Owing to ‘surface repairs’ and construction activities at the DLF 5 underpass, traffic movement on the potholed and waterlogged Golf Course Road was thrown out of gear on Thursday owing to narrowed road space.

Heavy traffic on Golf Course Road near Genpact crossing, in Gurgaon, on Thursday. (Sanjeev Verma/HT PHOTO)

Vehicles moved at a snail’s pace on the stretch with most motorists trying to minimise damages to their vehicles as they tried to navigate their way out of the congestion.

Such was the chaos that commuters were taking over 25 minutes to cross the stretch from DLF Camelias to Sector 53-54 metro station and from Sector 53-54 metro station to One Horizon Centre. Both roads have become riddled with potholes after the rain.

Traffic police personnel had to intervene on both sides of Genpact crossing to streamline vehicular movement on Thursday.

Gurgaon police officials also put out tweets to warn commuters about the traffic mess at the spot.

“Underpass construction going on Genpact Chowk. Tried to increae the number of lanes today. Still, the traffic will be slow in peak hours. Traffic police personnel will be there to help you. Sorry for the inconvenience,” a tweet by Gurgaon police said.

Traffic police officials said they have started imposing heavy fines on traffic violations in order to restore order on the stretch.

“Movement of vehicles is slower than usual at the Golf Course Road owing to the construction of DLF 5 underpass. Hence, officials were deputed to ensure that the congestion is minimal. In addition, vehicles were fined for veering into the wrong lane,” Simardeep Singh, DCP (traffic), said.

For commuters, passing the stretch was a nightmare.

“I had decided to use the road after learning that the road is being repaired. I regretted that decision as it took me nearly 20 minutes to cross the stretch. Despite the presence of traffic police, the potholes road made it difficult to drive,” Nilesh Dayal, a resident of Nirvana Country, said.

Officials have maintained that until the underpass construction is over, they cannot repair the road and can only make ‘surface’ repairs. The DLF 5 underpass is expected to open next month.