GMDA Pushes for Integrated Transport Planning in Gurgaon
The Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority has taken a significant step toward addressing the city's persistent traffic problems. GMDA has formally requested Gurgaon Metro Rail Ltd to conduct a thorough examination. The agency must determine whether an elevated road can be constructed alongside a planned metro corridor on Old Railway Road.
Review Meeting Focuses on Coordinated Infrastructure
This directive emerged from a crucial meeting chaired by GMDA CEO PC Meena on Monday. The session aimed to review the alignment of elevated road corridors planned with two upcoming metro projects. These projects include the Millennium City Centre-Cyber City line and the Gurgaon railway station-Bhondsi corridor. Senior officials from GMRL and Haryana Mass Rapid Transport Corporation participated in the discussions.
PC Meena stressed the absolute necessity for coordinated planning during the meeting. He emphasized that road and metro infrastructure must be designed together from the outset. This integrated approach is essential to prevent future bottlenecks and ensure smooth traffic flow. "We discussed unified planning of GMDA's road infrastructure with the proposed metro corridor," Meena stated. "The focus is on conserving the right of way to meet future demands from both metro ridership and road traffic."
Space Constraints Pose Major Challenge
Officials present at the meeting agreed to explore integrated solutions. The goal is to accommodate both an elevated road and metro infrastructure within the same corridor. However, the biggest obstacle remains the severe lack of available space. This issue is particularly acute along the densely built-up Old Railway Road, where the right of way is already extremely tight.
People familiar with the discussions revealed that GMRL expressed reservations about GMDA's specific proposal. The plan involves a four-lane elevated road stretching from Rajiv Chowk towards the railway station. This road would loop near the Sector 5 junction and connect near Atul Kataria Chowk. The estimated cost for this 7.4-kilometer project stands at approximately Rs 750 crore.
Technical and Logistical Hurdles Detailed
Metro officials provided further technical details during the review. They confirmed that the railway station-Bhondsi corridor cannot be constructed underground. It will have to be an elevated structure. Similarly, the Millennium City Centre-Cyber City line is also planned as an elevated corridor. Interchange stations are proposed at Sector 5 and Subhash Chowk. Both lines are designed to share a common depot at Sector 33. Officials explained that taking the metro underground would necessitate an additional depot and require more land for the interchange at Sector 5.
Meanwhile, GMDA is advancing its plans for the Rajiv Chowk–Atul Kataria Chowk elevated road. The design includes multiple entry and exit ramps. The Old Railway Road stretch between Rajiv Chowk and Sector 5 overlaps directly with the proposed alignment of the Bhondsi-railway station metro corridor. GMDA has already initiated the tendering process to prepare a detailed project report for this road.
Agencies Voice Practical Concerns
HMRTC officials injected a note of caution into the proceedings. They warned that fitting two elevated structures into the same corridor might be nearly impossible in certain sections. "The available right of way is already constrained," an HMRTC official noted. "The road width further reduces at several locations. Developing both structures in an elevated form will be extremely challenging."
Officials also highlighted several potential complications. These include differences in elevation levels, conflicts in alignment, and issues with criss-crossing structures. The area around the Sector 5 junction presents particular difficulties. In some stretches, the narrow carriageway leaves almost no room for additional pillars or necessary ramps.
Alternative Solutions Considered
In response to these challenges, GMRL suggested exploring an alternative approach. The agency proposed investigating the possibility of constructing underground road sections instead of an elevated road. However, GMDA raised its own set of concerns regarding this idea. The authority pointed to the significant difficulties associated with utility shifting and the overall construction challenges of an underground road project.
The discussions underscore the complex balancing act facing Gurgaon's urban planners. They must find a way to deliver critical transportation upgrades within the city's existing spatial and infrastructural constraints.
