GURGAON: The Gurgaon Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) has once again drawn criticism from residents and commuters as a seemingly straightforward infrastructure project remains unfinished after 14 long months. The renovation of a 1.4-km-long stretch between AIT Chowk and the Southern Peripheral Road (SPR), which began in June last year, was intended to enhance pedestrian safety and improve mobility in the area. However, the project has been marred by delays, leaving pedestrians to navigate through muddy, cluttered, and uneven pathways, while traffic congestion remains a significant challenge.
According to a GMDA official from Division-1, the delay is primarily due to the construction of a drainage system by another division. Division-2 of GMDA began working on the drainage in October last year but has faced multiple setbacks due to issues such as the shifting of electric poles and heavy showers.
The project, budgeted at Rs 9.8 crore, includes overlaying the main carriageway, constructing service roads on both sides, installing surface drains, and building footpaths and cycle tracks. Despite the timeline being set at 12 months, the work is only halfway through. The service road towards AIT Chowk has seen little progress, with just over a kilometer completed, while construction on the other side is yet to begin. Additionally, the footpaths and cycle tracks remain incomplete.
The ongoing work has turned the area around the Rapid Metro station in Sector 56 into a chaotic mess, with piles of construction debris creating hazardous conditions for pedestrians. Surface drains have already started to show damage, with some drain covers missing, posing a risk of injury.
Commuters and residents are increasingly frustrated by the delays. Kamakshi Sharma, a customer care executive who uses the Rapid Metro in Sector 56 daily, expressed her concerns: “It has been over a year, and nothing seems to have changed around the station. The debris and broken ramps make it impossible to walk safely. Every day, we’re forced to navigate through dangerous conditions, and it is exhausting.”
Eshan Handa, a resident of Sushant Lok-2, echoed these sentiments: “This stretch has become a nightmare. GMDA had promised better roads and footpaths, but all we have got are delays and more hazards. During the monsoon, it’s even worse with mud and waterlogging. It feels they have forgotten about us.”
Pawan Yadav, RWA president of Sushant Lok 2 and 3, criticized the project’s design, stating, “There is a design flaw in the service road construction as rainwater is flowing into the colony and inundating the streets rather than being directed into the road drain. There is no safe place for pedestrians, and autos are parked haphazardly due to the ongoing construction, leading to congestion.”
An official from GMDA assured that a site visit would be conducted to address the issues and expressed hope that the work would be completed by the end of October. “We have overlaid the main carriageway and constructed surface drains on both sides, while about 400 meters of the service road towards AIT Chowk remains pending. We will coordinate with DHBVN to address the drainage issues so that the remaining roadwork can proceed. We will expedite clearing the debris and repair the broken ramps,” the official said.
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