GRAP norms bring NHAI projects to halt
The restrictions on construction activities under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) IV have brought several projects of National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to a standstill in the region.
As per the sources, the construction work of various projects of NHAI, including the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, Urban Extension Road (UER) project, DND-Sohna expressway, Karnal Ring Road, Ambala-Shamli National Highway, and Kambopura underpass project in Karnal have been stopped in compliance with the directions under the GRAP-IV.
As per the information, the Ambala-Shamli National Highway Project has been affected in Shamli district (which falls under the NCR). While nearly 40 per cent work is completed, the project has a deadline of next year-end. Similarly, the Karnal ring road project is about 50 per complete and has to be readied by next year-end.
The underpass project at Kambopura in Karnal is nearly 70 per cent complet, and the project is to be completed by June next-year. Sources in the NHAI said: “As soon as GRAP-IV is invoked, the construction activities are completely stopped. The construction work has been halted for 10 days. October and November are crucial and working season for the construction work as the agencies want to complete maximum projects during these two months before the foggy season comes in.”
“A break in construction work disturbs the pace of the work. Though the construction agencies will try to cover the gap as soon as the restrictions are withdrawn, the pace will be affected again during the foggy days. The agencies face issues in working round the clock due to fog," he said.
Meanwhile, a senior official in the NHAI said “It was important to abide by the environmental laws. The work has been stopped in compliance with the directions related to GRAP-IV. We are hopeful that the environmental conditions will improve soon and as soon as the directions under GRAP-IV are revoked, the work will resume. All efforts will be made to complete the ongoing projects in time so that the commuters travelling on the national highways don’t face inconvenience and they get better connectivity.”
