The opening of Dwarka Expressway is likely to be further delayed with the monsoon approaching. Officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) initially expected the work to be completed within the next two months, but the rains are anticipated to create obstacles for the bituminous work on the 19km stretch within the city. Additionally, the high-tension line near Garhi Harsaru, which passes over the expressway, still needs to be relocated.
Construction of the surface drain is currently underway, while landscaping and other finishing work at roundabouts remain incomplete.
An NHAI official stated, “Work on the Haryana section of Dwarka Expressway is in the final stages, with pending bituminous work on elevated portions. We have instructed the contractor to expedite the work. The construction of the drain will be finished within the next month, considering the impending monsoon. Every effort is being made to complete the project in the next two months. We want to ensure all aspects of road safety are thoroughly addressed before opening the expressway.”
Regarding the relocation of the power line near Garhi Harsaru, NHAI explained that the task is yet to be carried out by the Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Limited (HVPNL). The official added, “Without the shifting of the high-tension line, we cannot commission the expressway as it would pose a safety hazard for commuters.” Initially, NHAI was responsible for relocating the power cable, but it was later decided that HVPNL would handle the task due to their plan to shift the entire high-tension line for the Global City project. The deadline for completion was initially December 2022, which was extended to April of this year and then May 15. The latest deadline is now July 10.
When contacted, a senior HVPNL official explained that they have been unable to shut down the power supply for line relocation due to high demand during the peak season. However, they are closely monitoring the situation and plan to carry out a planned shutdown for three to four days to complete the work.
The Dwarka Expressway project was first conceived by the Haryana government in 2006, and NHAI took over in 2016. Construction began in November 2019, initially with a two-year deadline. However, even after the 18.9km Gurgaon section is opened, the remaining 10km of the expressway in Delhi is not expected to be operational until next year.
Once completed, the project aims to alleviate congestion on the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway, which is heavily used by daily commuters. It will also improve intra-city travel for residents of new sectors and reduce travel time to IGI Airport.
Meanwhile, residents of the new sectors who were hoping for an early opening of the expressway have expressed disappointment and accused NHAI of deliberately delaying the project to benefit the toll concessionaire. Currently, they must either pay toll at Kherki Daula or risk traveling on the wrong side of the expressway at the Central Peripheral Road (CPR) towards Gurgaon and Delhi, which poses a safety concern. Earlier this month, the CPR cloverleaf was closed for traffic due to safety concerns related to ongoing construction work, further exacerbating the difficulties faced by commuters.
Pradip Rahi, a resident of Vatika G21 in Sector 83, expressed concern over any further delay in the opening of Dwarka Expressway and urged the government to prioritize its completion. He emphasized the need for access to the expressway to facilitate travel to other parts of the city, particularly for residents of sectors 81 to 95 who currently rely on NH-8. Rahi added that there are traffic congestion issues at the Kherki Daula toll plaza during peak hours.
