To prevent legal hassles, NHAI to go ahead with project only after getting clearance from state govt
Gurugram: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials have now made it clear that they will only go ahead with the projects after getting full clearance from the state government. The decision has been taken as most of the projects have got delayed due to legal hassles involved in the projects. Not only are there hassles being faced in Dwarka expressway but the IFFCO Chowk underpass is also getting delayed due to legalities involved in land acquisition. Some of the projects that have been undertaken by the NHAI and are stuck, includes the IFFCO Chowk underpass, Dwarka Expressway and also the Sohna elevated flyover.
The construction of IFFCO Chowk underpass is stopped as the State Government has not been able to acquire the part of the land where is a petrol pump. Even as the Government offered the alternate site to the owner, the offer was refused. At present, there is a stay order by the Punjab and Haryana High Court that has stopped the construction of the underpass. In order to resolve the prevailing problem, the officials of Gurugram metropolitan development authority have also stepped in. Sources indicate that the file of the clearance of petrol pump which is blocking the path has been sought by officials to see what are the alternatives to deal with the present challenge.
Waiting for more than 10 years, over 90,00 families hope that this year the Dwarka Expressway will be completed even as the legal hurdles around the proposed stretch remain. The frustrating delay in the construction of the Dwarka Expressway had recently resulted in certain homeowners also holding a hunger strike in which leaders of major political parties came and supported the cause. Amid the challenges, the NHAI has begun building the road on certain stretches.
There are also plans to build an 11-kilometre elevated flyover at the Sohna road. This project, however, is again expected to get delayed after it has been found that more land needs to be acquired. Moreover, there are also human settlements in the area which again would have to be given an alternate site.
The NHAI has already prepared a detailed plan report (DPR) and sent it to the government. There were also plans to build an expressway by NHAI reducing the distance between Gurugram and areas of South Delhi. The plan was however shelved after residents in Gurugram protested over the project passing through 380 acres of Aravalli biodiversity project. The state government is now trying to scout for an alternate route for the project to be developed.
