GURUGRAM: The construction of service roads along Dwarka expressway is awaiting allotment of work since the project is yet to receive approval from GMDA CEO, a senior official said on Monday. It is only after the approval that the project will be submitted before the purchase committee.
Officials said the approval and allotment process is likely to be completed soon and the construction work will begin by January. “We have put up the case again for approval as some clarifications were sought by the CEO. After the approval, it will be placed before a high-powered purchase committee for final negotiation with various bidders before being allotted. We are expecting the process to be completed soon and the work is likely to be commenced by January next year.” the official added. The Authority is expecting to ease intra-city travel for commuters and residents in the new sectors.
The project is estimated to cost Rs 93.2 crore and the service roads are likely to be built in two and a half years after the allotment work. Hence, the roads may get operational by mid-2026, the official from the authority added.
As per the plan, the service roads will be laid over a distance of 15.3km on both sides of the expressway between sectors 81 and 115.
While most land is already available with the GMDA, officials said some land parcels are yet to be handed over to the development authority. “Once completed, it will improve the mobility in new sectors along Dwarka Expressway and the residents will not have to take long detours for inter-sector commute. While 95% land has been cleared and acquired, for remaining patches, we are coordinating with the department concerned,” the official added.
Conceptualised in 2020, the service lane project got administrative approval in June last year. The tender for construction of 7.5 metre-wide service roads along with drains, footpaths and installation of streetlights was invited in November 2022, but only two agencies came forward. GMDA subsequently scrapped the process and invited the tender again in January this year. This too was recalled in May due to lack of interest. The tender was floated for a third time this June.
After technical evaluation, three firms were found to be eligible in August.
Meanwhile, residents said that the civic authorities are not prioritizing infrastructure development.
“In spite of being the highest revenue generating city of Haryana, basic civic infrastructure is lacking here. Service lanes, green belts, drainage system, pedestrian pathways are basic infra requirements in any big city, which are either missing or delayed in the majority of big ticket infra projects in the city. There is already an inordinate delay of four years in the project, GMDA should now expedite the work,” Sunil Sareen, resident of Imperial Gardens, said.
“Service lanes are much needed along the Dwarka Expressway. which can cater to the needs of light motor vehicles. Both sides along the expressway have been growing rapidly and in the absence of a service lane, the area becomes prone to accidents,” Ranjan Jain, a resident of Chintels Serenity, said.
