Gurugram: One of the major highlights of ML Khattar-led Haryana government is the development projects at the major routes of Gurugram where work at NH-8 is most visible. A route where lakhs of vehicles were held up for more than 16 hours due to few millimetres of rain in July 2016 have now given way to underpasses and flyovers. Public agencies in Gurugram, however, faced immense criticism after the roof of underpasses at Rajiv Chowk and Signature towers collapsed during dust storm on Friday.
The repercussions of it have resulted in public agencies not only prolonging the deadline to inaugurate underpass at Hero Chowk but also to ensure that there is more due diligence on the maintenance part of the projects that have already been set up.
The decision comes at a time when the report has been sought from the contractors by the National Highways. At the cost of Rs 1,000 crore, the project was completed within the time frame of 13 months than the record time of 30 months. Earlier, there was also criticism over lack of coordination between the authorities as no lights fixed at the underpasses jeopardised the safety of the commuters.
"The roof collapse incident was an unfortunate incident and due process is being followed to rectify the incident. Needless to say one bad incident should not be used to undermine the great work done by the engineers and labourers in completing the quality work in record time," said a senior official from NHAI.
Not only National Highway-8 but citizens have also expressed their dissatisfaction over planning and quality of construction in Golf Course road. Despite being made a signal fee road, there were complaints of water logging and traffic jam at the major road. There seems to be no planning by the officials who build the road. It is well known fact that how poor drainage systems are resulting in the flooding of our cities. Yet, the engineers want to compromise quality by saving costs on building the drainage as a result of which most of the roads even after crores of investment are getting spoilt," said Rajan Bhargava, a city resident.
"If you want to illustrate the example of poor and haphazard planning, you must cite the example of Gurugram. Corruption and lack of proper planning are resulting in even areas of New Gurugram floundering," said Vinita Yadav, a city resident.