Frustration is mounting among residents of Ardee City in Gurgaon as a crucial project to recarpet internal roads remains incomplete well past its deadline, causing significant disruption and safety concerns in the township.
Missed Deadlines and Slow Pace of Work
The Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG) had awarded the contract for laying paver block roads in February this year. The estimated cost of the project was Rs 1.7 crore, with a completion deadline set for the end of August. However, progress has been painfully slow. Out of the approximately 17 lanes slated for recarpeting, only two and a half lanes have been finished so far, leaving the majority of the work untouched.
Residents allege that the civic body's poor oversight and the contractor's lethargic pace are to blame for the prolonged inconvenience. The situation was further exacerbated by the prolonged digging of lanes, which has rendered many internal roads uneven and hazardous.
Residents Voice Safety and Health Concerns
The incomplete work has transformed daily life into a struggle for the locals. C P Singh, a resident of D Block, shared his ordeal, stating that the scraped roads pose a direct danger. "One of our neighbours fell and broke her limb. I find it difficult to step out and visit the temple near gate 4," he said. He also highlighted the constant dust pollution, making it hard to breathe and forcing many, especially seniors, into a state akin to "house arrest" for the past two months.
Praveen Yadav, President of the Residents' Welfare Association (RWA), pointed out the inexplicable delays. "Why was the entire stretch dug up for two months with no action?" he questioned. He added that even after the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) restrictions were lifted ten days ago, work did not resume promptly. Only after residents raised the issue were a few materials brought to the site.
Allegations of Substandard Materials and Official Assurance
Compounding the issue of delays are allegations of compromised quality. Residents claim that the small portion of road initially constructed used poor-quality paver blocks. It was only after their intervention that ISI-marked blocks were reportedly used for the work.
Following a meeting last week between the RWA, residents, and MCG officials, the latter have given verbal assurances that the project will now be prioritised. MCG Executive Engineer Sandeep Kumar acknowledged the delays, attributing them to the monsoon and subsequent GRAP restrictions. "However, direction has been issued to the agency to expedite the work and ensure completion of the project at the earliest," Kumar stated.
For now, the residents of Ardee City continue to wait, hoping for swift action to restore normalcy and safe passage within their township.
