E-Paper
Facilities not in place, chaos rules
Though the number of accidents and fatalities on the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway came down in 2012 as compared to the previous year, there is not much improvement in the ground situation in terms of road infrastructure.
Though the number of accidents and fatalities on the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway came down in 2012 as compared to the previous year, there is not much improvement in the ground situation in terms of road infrastructure.
The Hero Honda Chowk on the expressway is a major bottleneck and commuters complain of perennial traffic jams during peak hours.
Thousands of commuters, including corporates and executives, say it is an ordeal to cross the stretch.
Despite new slip roads which have brought some relief to motorists, there is an urgent need to undertake repairs and add more pedestrian facilities.
While the service lanes are potholed, there is no underpass, flyover or footover bridge to streamline traffic and pedestrian movement.
Several pedestrians and cyclists risk their lives while trying to cross the stretch apart from inconveniencing motorists who take the expressway for a faster commute.
The daily traffic snarls, however, have failed to move authorities concerned. The underpass or footover bridge project is yet to see the light of day.
“We are waiting for land to be transferred from Haryana Urban Development Authority to NHAI. As soon as we get land on both sides of the expressway at Hero Honda Chowk and Iffco Chowk, we will ask our consultant to prepare the design for the footover bridge in 15 days and then float a tender,” NK Tomar, executive engineer, Public Works Department.
A daily commuter, Shikha Sharma, said, “I get stuck here daily. Although traffic marshals are deployed, they are of no help. Nobody listens to them.”
On the other hand, marshals said, “Two-wheeler drivers abuse us and are ready to assault us if we put up barriers. Pedestrians also indulge in jaywalking and have no road sense.”
Commuters coming from Sector 34 side are the worst hit as they have to take a u-turn from the Khedki Daula toll plaza to reach the main expressway.
Incomplete construction of a few slip roads also adds to the mess.
As there is no proper sewage system in the area, drains remain clogged and desilting is required frequently during monsoons. The authorities have to install a pump to suck out the water when it rains, making commuting a nightmare on this stretch.
