In Gurgaon, the construction delays hit service road work on Dwarka Expressway as the GMDA continues to struggle with major obstacles. High-tension power lines and underground gas pipelines lie directly along the planned route. Since these utilities cannot be shifted, officials are forced to redesign the alignment. This change has slowed progress at a time when the expressway serves thousands of commuters every day.
The service road project includes two 7.5-meter-wide roads with footpaths and drainage. It carries a cost of nearly Rs 99.5 crore, and officials hope to finish it by September 2026. Although the GMDA awarded the contract in March 2024, overall progress still remains slow. While one side of the 15.3 km road is complete, the other side has reached only 25%. Officials say the unexpected discovery of utilities left little room to continue work safely.
Residents across sectors 81-115 depend on this service road for easier access. Without it, commuters often enter the expressway through unauthorized openings. These gaps create dangerous driving conditions and have led to repeated warnings from NHAI. Many drivers say they feel unsafe, and the long detours force some people into wrong-side driving, which increases the risk of accidents.
The project has faced hurdles since the beginning. Although officials proposed it in 2020, the approvals took more than two years. GMDA floated tenders twice, first in November 2022 and again in January 2023, but both failed because too few companies participated. Therefore, residents grew increasingly frustrated as traffic jams worsened and evening rush hours became chaotic.
People living near busy spots, such as the roundabout near Elan Miracle mall, say the situation becomes unbearable during peak time. Sector 89 resident Anil Narain Malhotra said the roundabout turns into a choke point daily. He believes the new service road will ease the pressure and reduce wrong-side driving. Many others agree that smoother traffic flow will bring much-needed relief to the area.
As the city continues to expand, the demand for safe and reliable road access grows stronger. The Dwarka Expressway has become a major route for thousands of families, office-goers, and commercial vehicles. Because of this, delays in the service road affect not only convenience but also safety. GMDA officials now plan to speed up redesign work so construction can continue without disturbing the utilities.
The situation highlights a common challenge in urban development: balancing modern infrastructure with existing underground and overhead systems. Although the redesign adds extra time, officials believe the new plan will ensure long-term safety and smoother traffic once complete. If the work stays on track, residents may finally see safer roads and shorter travel times in the coming years.
In conclusion, as Construction delays hit service road work on Dwarka Expressway, the GMDA must act quickly and efficiently to resolve these hurdles. The success of this project matters to thousands of commuters who rely on the expressway daily.
