Gurgaon's 2.8km Road Stretch Plunges into Neglect, Endangering Daily Commuters
A critical 2.8-kilometer road in Gurgaon has deteriorated into a state of severe neglect, forcing thousands of motorists to navigate a treacherous path daily. This stretch, which once formed part of the Dwarka Expressway alignment before the Central Peripheral Road (CPR) was constructed, now serves as a key arterial link for sectors 83, 84, and 36A. However, it has transformed daily commutes into a slow and risky exercise for officegoers and schoolchildren alike.
Hazardous Conditions and Daily Struggles
Just a few meters past the Dwarka Expressway near Elan Miracle Mall, drivers are compelled to brake abruptly—not for traffic, but to dodge deep craters that dot the carriageway. The entire stretch is marred by innumerable potholes, forcing vehicles to crawl and zigzag, often resulting in damaged suspensions and tyres. The situation becomes particularly dangerous after dark, when the absence of proper street lighting makes it difficult to spot broken patches and sudden drops in the road surface.
Former RWA president of SS Coralwood, Puran Singh, expressed frustration, stating, "Authorities are not doing residents any favour by maintaining a road that is used by thousands every day. Accidents have been happening regularly. We have been asking for the redevelopment of this road since 2020, and GMDA is dragging its feet over ensuring even basic repairs."
Failed Repairs and Delayed Redevelopment
Ironically, the road was repaired as recently as 2024, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to inaugurate the Dwarka Expressway. However, residents report that its condition deteriorated rapidly since then. Despite repeated complaints to civic authorities, no repair work has been carried out.
GMDA officials have stated that the authority is in the process of redeveloping the stretch and is awaiting approval from the high-powered purchase committee headed by the chief minister. This plan has been under process since September last year. Officials added that routine repairs can be taken up once the agency responsible for annual road maintenance, which ordinarily handles such repairs, is finalised, as the tendering process is still underway.
A GMDA official told TOI, "Technical evaluation of the tender for the redevelopment of this road is complete, and we are now awaiting approval from the high-powered purchase committee. In the meantime, we will repair the road under annual maintenance, for which an agency will be engaged soon."
Proposed Redevelopment Plan Details
According to the proposal, the 2.8km road is to be redeveloped into a six-lane corridor with:
- A 14-meter-wide main carriageway
- A 10-meter central verge
- A 40-meter-wide greenbelt
- A footpath-cum-drain
The plan also includes installation of streetlights, construction of a rotary at the junction of sectors 83 and 84, and road safety infrastructure such as solar studs and reflective markings. The project is estimated to cost Rs 18.9 crore. Once approved, the work is expected to take around 18 months to complete.
Residents Voice Continued Frustration
Meanwhile, motorists continue to bear the brunt of civic apathy. Puran Singh of Coralwood added, "Neither the redevelopment started nor are repairs being carried out. The money that will be spent on basic repairs is also taxpayers' money. Earlier, they said that repairs cannot be done due to GRAP, then winter, while we suffer."
This ongoing neglect highlights significant gaps in urban infrastructure management, leaving residents to cope with unsafe conditions as bureaucratic delays persist.
