Court litigations, notices, traffic snarls and demonstrations. Five years since the Gurgaon expressway was launched, the project has seen more than its share of troubles.
Though traffic jams have been synonymous with the expressway that was thrown open to commuters in 2008, court litigations emerged as the major issue in the last one year with the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) serving a contract termination notice to the operator.
On February 17, the NHAI served contract termination notice to Delhi Gurgaon Super Connectivity Ltd (DGSCL), alleging that the firm had changed financiers, secured loans and used the money without its approval.
Last year, the DGSCL too had moved court against Gurgaon police on charges of interfering with toll and boom barrier operations.
The latest controversy erupted last month with the main lender to the project, IDFC, refusing to take over the project from the operator despite the approval of an
NHAI board. Fearing a termination notice by the NHAI, the operator recently moved the Delhi High Court and got a stay against termination.
Wrong traffic projections resulted in long traffic snarls at the toll plazas.
The daily average traffic volume turned out to be around two lakh vehicles at the Delhi-border toll plaza in 2012 as against the projection of 1.25 lakh vehicles.
Frequent jams have triggered demonstrations by citizen pressure groups which have been demanding demolition of the toll plazas.
The agitating groups have at times forced open the toll boom barrier, facilitating free movement of vehicles.
Frequent jams have triggered demonstrations by citizen pressure groups which have been demanding demolition of the toll plazas.
The agitating groups have at times forced open the toll boom barrier, facilitating free movement of vehicles.