Flyover construction delays lead to traffic chaos in Gurugram
Considering the difficulties faced by locals due to the frequent traffic jams caused by the stalled construction of a flyover at Bilaspur Chowk on the Delhi-Jaipur National Highway in Gurugram, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has assured the timely repair of service roads and the completion of the flyover.
This assurance follows a letter sent to the NHAI by social activist Prakash Yadav, a resident of Kharkhada village, highlighting the persistent issues of traffic jams, waterlogging during rains and dust during dry weather faced by residents and commuters. Yadav had also written to the district magistrate, who promised to take up the matter with the NHAI for resolution.
The NHAI’s Gurugram-based Project Implementation Unit (PIU) informed Yadav that the flyover construction falls under the jurisdiction of the Jaipur project unit. According to Yogesh Tilak, project director of the Gurugram unit, traffic has been diverted to service roads and alternative routes due to the ongoing flyover construction. However, continuous bad weather and heavy rains have worsened the condition of these roads, contributing to traffic problems.
Tilak explained that rain has delayed the overlay work on the service roads, but the NHAI contractor is making continuous efforts to keep the roads functional. The widening of the service roads on both sides has also begun to ease the commute. Patrol vehicles have been deployed to monitor traffic flow. He assured that if there is no further rain, the strengthening and overlay work on the alternative and service routes will be completed soon. A mahapanchayat of 108 villages was held at Bilaspur on August 25, calling for the immediate resumption of the stalled flyover construction. The gathering also demanded the removal of illegal encroachments on highway land, the construction of U-turns for private vehicles and the installation of foot overbridges for pedestrian safety.
Residents emphasised that the low-lying areas lead to waterlogging during the rainy season, which, combined with ongoing construction, has created deep potholes, further worsening traffic conditions.
The Bilaspur Chowk flyover, approved in 2015, had its foundation stone laid in March 2022, with an initial completion deadline of October 2024. The flyover, estimated at a cost of Rs 25 crore, is 850-m long with three sections, and includes the construction of smart vehicle underpasses. Once completed, it aims to streamline traffic and reduce congestion, ensuring smooth travel through Bilaspur Chowk. However, with only 20 per cent of the work completed so far, meeting the deadline appears challenging. Meanwhile, Ajay Arya, project director of the Jaipur unit, claimed that the NHAI hopes to complete the flyover construction by the end of this financial year. The contractor is expected to resume work soon after the rains subside.
