The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced a significant development for commuters in the National Capital Region. Officials stated on Friday that a major portion of the much-awaited Gurgaon-Pataudi-Rewari highway is slated to be opened for public use by the middle of February. This partial opening is a strategic move aimed at alleviating the severe inconvenience faced by daily travelers on this corridor.
Revised Timelines and Pending Structures
While the main carriageway will become operational soon, the opening will exclude a few critical structures that are still under construction. The most notable delay involves a railway overbridge (RoB) near Pahari village, which is now expected to be completed only by June 2024. Apart from this RoB, a flyover at the Dwarka Expressway junction is also facing delays.
According to NHAI officials, the primary reason for the RoB's delay was the late permissions received from the railways, which pushed back the crucial girder-launching work. For the Dwarka Expressway flyover, the presence of a 400 KV high-tension power line has hampered progress. This line must be relocated before construction can advance further.
The overall project, excluding the RoB, is now targeted for full completion by March 2024. The foundation stone for this Rs 900 crore project was laid by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari in July 2020. Originally scheduled for completion in December 2022, construction actually began in November 2021 with a revised two-year deadline, which has now been extended further due to these approval and utility-shifting hurdles.
Major Boost for Regional Connectivity and Industry
The operationalization of this highway is set to transform connectivity in the region. Once fully complete, it will serve as a vital alternative to the perennially clogged Delhi-Jaipur Expressway, significantly reducing the vehicular load on that route.
The new corridor will greatly enhance connectivity between Gurgaon, southern parts of Haryana, and Rajasthan. It is also poised to provide a smoother and more efficient route to key industrial hubs. Industrial areas in Manesar, Bilaspur, and Dharuhera will benefit directly, facilitating easier movement of goods and commuters, thereby boosting economic activity in the region.
A Long-Awaited Relief for Commuters
The decision to open the highway in phases underscores NHAI's intent to provide relief to the public at the earliest, even as it works to complete the remaining complex structures. A senior NHAI official confirmed that most of the main work is finished, and the authority is striving to make the road usable between January and mid-February, barring the incomplete sections.
This project highlights both the progress and the persistent challenges in India's infrastructure development, where delays in inter-agency approvals and utility shifting often lead to missed deadlines. Nonetheless, the impending opening marks a critical step forward in decongesting one of the busiest traffic corridors in the NCR.
