Choked Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway has alternatives, but those remain only on paper

Gurgaon: As the daily grind on Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway continues to test the patience of commuters, promises of a smoother connectivity through alternative roads and flyovers are yet to take shape.One of the most viable alternatives, according to experts, is the revamp of the Old Delhi-Gurgaon road, which has been plagued by persistent issues such as encroachments, chaotic bus terminal operations, and poorly maintained stretches."Economic growth and an increasing floating population were glaringly overlooked while planning infrastructure linking Delhi and Gurgaon. While Old Delhi-Gurgaon road could serve as a viable alternative, land constraints have posed challenges for govt agencies. Congestion in Mahipalpur, especially near the airport, despite a flyover, underscores a fundamental lack of linkages that could ease traffic on the Gurgaon expressway. Construction of UER-2 and Dwarka Expressway should have been prioritised long ago," said Vinay Maitri, who retired as professor at the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi. Years ago, there were discussions between Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) and GMDA to construct a 5km flyover on the Old Delhi-Gurgaon Road to streamline traffic headed for IGIA. However, this project remains largely on paper.DIAL's proposal also pointed to severe snarls on this road due to a lack of alternative links to Dwarka Expressway, recommending a four-lane flyover at Rezang La Chowk. But like the others, this project hasn't gained momentum. Planned in 2008, another road was planned to directly link Nelson Mandela Marg in Delhi with MG Road in Gurgaon after passing through Ghitorni and Vasant Kunj. But this was opposed by environmentalists over its potential impact on the Aravalli Biodiversity Park. This project, shelved in 2022, got a renewed push recently, with CM Nayab Singh Saini urging the Centre to revive it.GMDA officials agreed that though alternative routes could provide relief in the long run, public transport needed to be emphasised. "Road connectivity is essential, but we must equally focus on mass public transportation, such as the proposed Delhi-Gurgaon-Alwar rapid rail corridor," a senior GMDA official said."Once the Dwarka Expressway becomes fully operational, we expect it to have a positive impact. New links, such as the Nelson Mandela Marg to MG Road, are critical. The state govt has renewed its push for this," he added.Coordination between multiple govt agencies, the official agreed, was easier said than done. "Routes linking Delhi and Gurgaon aren't solely under GMDA's control. For instance, most of the Nelson Mandela to MG Road link lies under Delhi's jurisdiction. We can only advocate for this at the central level. With the Old Delhi-Gurgaon road too, the collaboration of both state govts is crucial. This often takes time," the official said.