Traffic movement at and around Atul Kataria Chowk is likely to become smoother, with the flyover, which was under construction at the junction as part of a traffic improvement project, fully opened to commuters on Saturday.
One carriageway of the flyover for traffic movement from the Gurugram bus stand to Kapashera opened in May this year.
Since then, the traffic movement on it has been in the opposite direction because the Public Works Department (PWD), the agency executing the project on behalf of the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA), was still working on the second carriageway.
But now, with the Kapashera to Gurugram bus stand carriageway open, traffic movement has started on the two carriageways as per the original plan. “The entire flyover is now open to commuters, and the traffic movement has started as per the original plan,” said a senior PWD official.
Although traffic movement may get smoother, congestion issues will likely persist at the junction for at least another month, as the construction of an underpass, a second facility planned as part of the traffic improvement project, is still pending.
The structure, when completed, will provide connectivity between Sheetla Mata Mandir and Maharana Pratap Chowk.
“It will take nearly one to one-and-a-half months to complete the underpass. The monsoon is causing a bit of a hindrance because it has been raining. The skies have been cloudy the last few days, with the sun hardly visible, which we require for the work,” said the PWD official.
The official also said the agency wants to complete the service roads in three of the four directions of the junction, towards Kapashera, National Highway 48 (NH48) and Mahavir Chowk, at the earliest.
“We have done most of the work on these roads, but the final layer is pending. As soon as the weather improves, that too will be done. With the flyover work complete, these service roads and the rotary are our next priority,” said the official.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar first announced the plan to revamp Atul Kataria Chowk during his visit to Gurugram on Independence Day in 2018.
Construction had formally started the following year. The junction is critical to commuters since vehicles moving from areas with a high footfall like the Huda City Centre metro station, Gurugram bus stand, railway station and Sheetla Mata Mandir intersect here.
November 2019 was the initial deadline for the Rs 81.38 crore project, but besides complications in shifting utilities, the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns and the multiple bans on construction activities due to high pollution levels slowed down the work.
Commuters welcomed the opening of the flyover.
“The traffic at Atul Kataria Chowk has been a nightmare for residents and commuters in Gurugram. It is a relief that at least some of the work at the intersection is complete. However, the PWD should also ensure that the underpass is ready soon. Until the execution of the entire project, congestion issues will continue to persist,” said Nishant Sahu, a resident of Sector 17.
