The Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) is set to widen the Southern Peripheral Road (SPR) stretch between Vatika Chowk and Ghata Chowk by paving the unpaved road shoulder with bituminous material. This initiative aims to enhance traffic flow and mitigate dust pollution in the area, officials confirmed.
Project Details and Timeline
The Authority has floated a tender for the project, estimated to cost approximately Rs 6.9 crore. Once awarded, the work is expected to take at least nine months to complete. The project involves converting the existing unpaved shoulders into a paved, usable carriageway, effectively widening the road edge-to-edge.
Current Challenges with Unpaved Shoulders
The road shoulders currently have unpaved patches between the carriageway and the roadside edge. These portions generate dust, and motorists often use them to overtake or cut across near junctions, posing serious safety risks. During dry weather, accumulated dust contributes to air pollution, while during rains, the same sections become muddy and waterlogged, making them unsafe for commuters.
Shift from Paver Tiles to Bituminous Layer
Initially, the metropolitan authority planned to pave the 6km-long unpaved shoulder with interlocking paver tiles to address dust pollution and waterlogging. However, GMDA has now opted for a bituminous layer to integrate the shoulder with the existing carriageway, creating additional road space and allowing smoother vehicle movement. Officials stated that the bituminous layer will improve lane discipline and increase road capacity.
Importance of SPR as an Arterial Road
SPR is a key arterial road that witnesses heavy traffic movement and connects Dwarka Expressway, Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway, Sohna highway, and Gurgaon-Faridabad road. Despite repairs to the main carriageway in 2024, the road shoulders remained unpaved. Motorists often use these shoulders to bypass traffic, increasing the risk of skidding and accidents. The widening is expected to serve as an immediate congestion-relief measure, even as larger infrastructure plans for a signal-free elevated road are in the pipeline.
Broader Road Redevelopment Plans
Meanwhile, the Authority is identifying 15 key roads across the city for redevelopment to address road dust. Once shortlisted, these stretches will be redesigned by the School of Planning and Architecture and CSIR-Central Road Research Institute, focusing on scientific road engineering practices, including better paving, improved drainage systems, and roadside greening.
