GMDA Seals Illegal Access Route to Dwarka Expressway Over Badshapur Drain in Gurgaon
The Gurgaon Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) took decisive action on Thursday by blocking an unauthorized access route to the Dwarka Expressway that crossed over the Badshapur drain near Sector 99. Authorities installed sturdy jersey barriers to seal off this passage, which had become a concerning point of entry for heavy vehicles from nearby ready-mix concrete (RMC) plants.
Structural Damage and Safety Concerns Prompt Immediate Action
GMDA officials explained that the concrete slabs covering the drain had sustained significant damage due to constant movement of trucks and dumpers. "This is not a road but a drain. Its slabs are damaged because heavy traffic moves over it. The route was blocked to prevent any untoward incident," emphasized a GMDA representative. The authority expressed serious concerns about potential structural failure that could endanger commuters' safety if the concrete slab were to collapse under continued stress.
Critical Role of Badshapur Drain in Monsoon Management
The Badshapur drain represents one of Gurgaon's three major stormwater channels and plays a vital role in managing runoff during the monsoon season. This crucial infrastructure component carries stormwater from an extensive catchment area spanning approximately 24,100 hectares, stretching from Ghata village all the way to the Najafgarh drain. Officials warned that any compromise to its structural integrity could significantly worsen waterlogging and flooding problems during heavy rains, creating additional challenges for the city's drainage system.
Residents Face Connectivity Challenges Following Closure
The route closure has created substantial inconvenience for hundreds of families residing in sectors 99 and 99A, along with nearby colonies. These residents had come to depend on this access point to reach the Dwarka Expressway due to inadequate road connectivity in the area. Their situation became more complicated when the revenue road that previously connected them to the expressway was acquired by the Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) for construction of an HVPNL substation.
With that legitimate route cut off, traffic gradually shifted to the drain cover, transforming it into an unofficial thoroughfare. The problem is further compounded by an incomplete stretch of the Sector 99 main road. A 200-meter portion remains unfinished as part of the 10.5-kilometer Upper Dwarka Expressway road network, which links outer Sector 99 to the stretch dividing sectors 114 and 115.
Infrastructure Development Delays and Land Disputes
While GMDA successfully upgraded most of the road in 2023, this particular 200-meter section has remained pending due to ongoing land compensation disputes. Originally constructed by HSVP in 2014, this incomplete portion continues to hinder proper connectivity in the area, forcing residents to seek alternative routes and contributing to the unauthorized use of the drain cover as an access point to the expressway.
The GMDA's intervention highlights the complex balance between addressing immediate safety concerns and ensuring adequate transportation infrastructure for local communities. As authorities work to protect critical drainage infrastructure ahead of the monsoon season, affected residents continue to navigate connectivity challenges in their daily commutes.
