Gurgaon-Pataudi-Rewari Highway Service Road Set for Partial Opening
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced plans to partially open the much-anticipated Gurgaon–Pataudi–Rewari highway by the end of this month. In this initial phase, only the service road will be opened to traffic, serving as a crucial interim arrangement while construction on the main carriageway continues.
Phased Rollout Due to Pending Clearances
Officials confirmed that while most structural components of the ambitious Rs 900 crore project are nearing completion, certain stretches of the main carriageway still await necessary clearances. Delays have primarily been linked to pending load-bearing drain works near the Dwarka Expressway and a transmission line passing over the highway stretch.
"Most of the structures along the corridor are complete, but because of the pending stretch, we will first open the service road. We are hopeful of starting traffic movement on the service road within seven to 10 days," stated an NHAI official.
Project History and Environmental Challenges
The foundation for this critical infrastructure project was laid in July 2020 by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari. Originally estimated at Rs 900 crore with a December 2022 completion deadline, construction actually began in November 2021 with a revised two-year timeline.
However, the project faced significant hurdles:
- Utility shifting issues and approval delays resulted in repeated deadline extensions
- Work stalled completely in September 2022 after the National Green Tribunal intervened
- Environmentalists appealed over forest clearance concerns, particularly regarding compensatory afforestation plans
The petitioners argued that planting trees 300 kilometres away in Panchkula would not adequately restore the green cover lost within the highway's construction area. This environmental dispute reached the Supreme Court, which in April 2024 allowed NHAI to resume work but mandated that compensatory afforestation must be conducted within the city to properly offset the project's environmental impact.
Strategic Importance and Future Benefits
Once fully operational, the Gurgaon-Pataudi-Rewari corridor is expected to deliver substantial regional benefits:
- Improved connectivity between Gurgaon, southern Haryana, and Rajasthan
- Reduced pressure on the congested Delhi-Jaipur highway
- Faster transportation alternatives for industrial hubs in Manesar, Bilaspur, and Dharuhera
- Smoother movement for both daily commuters and freight traffic
The partial opening of the service road represents a significant milestone in this long-delayed project, offering immediate relief to travelers while construction continues toward full completion. NHAI officials remain optimistic about progressing through the remaining challenges to deliver this vital infrastructure improvement for the region.
