The Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) is planning to redevelop two key arterial roads – a 4.9-km-long stretch between IFFCO Chowk and Mahavir Chowk and another 6.5km stretch from Old Railway Road to Dwarka Expressway – to ease the commute between NH-48 and Dwarka Expressway.
The development authority has already floated the tenders for preparing the detailed project report for strengthening and upgradation of roads from IFFCO chowk to Dwarka Expressway.
According to a senior GMDA official, “We are planning to carry out the revamp of around 11km of road, most of which are in poor condition, and it will be undertaken into two parts. Our aim is to provide alternative connectivity, especially to those coming from Jhajjar into the city so that old Gurgaon gets better connectivity in the shortest way possible. At present, most commuters travel through Basai flyover and then take Hero Honda Chowk.”
The proposal to upgrade roads from IFFCO Chowk to Dwarka Expressway was approved at the Authority’s 48th core planning committee meeting in October last year.
Apart from overlaying treatment and strengthening of roads, remedial measures such as on-street parking to address congestion within the city will also be explored, the official said.
“We’re engaging a consultant to prepare DPR for the work, which will study traffic volume, provision of on-street parking, central verges, service roads etc. All possibilities to improve the commuting will be examined,” official added.
Residents have welcomed the decision to revamp the key stretches of old Gurgaon. “It is good that authorities are finally paying some attention to this stretch, which is not only congested but some of the patches are really in bad shape. If they are able to address the encroachment issue then it will surely provide a smooth traffic movement,” said Kalyan Singh Sharma, social activist and resident of Sector 14.
Suraj Bhola, RWA general secretary of Sector 9A said the GMDA needs to work on improving the traffic mobility. “It should not be limited to cosmetic treatment, but more emphasis should be given on road design so that it helps in reducing traffic congestion rather than creating further mess. Every day during the rush hours, commuters get stuck in traffic jams near Kaman Sarai police station,” he said.
Source : TOI
