Delhi, June 29, 2024 — In a concerted effort to ensure the timely completion and functionality of major infrastructure projects in the National Capital Region, Union Minister of State for Corporate Affairs, Road, Transport and Highways, Harsh Malhotra, conducted an extensive site visit to review the progress of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway. Accompanied by Member of Parliament Manoj Tiwari, Member of Legislative Assembly Mohan Singh Bisht, area councilors from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, and officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the visit marked a significant step towards addressing both developmental and local issues.
Starting the inspection from Geeta Colony near Shamshan Ghat (chainage km 5+100) of NH-709B, the delegation proceeded to Sonia Vihar (chainage km 14+350) and Sabhapur village (chainage km 15+300). The primary focus was on evaluating the current status of the expressway and addressing longstanding issues such as waterlogging on NH 709B.
Progress on Delhi-Dehradun Expressway:
Minister Malhotra expressed satisfaction with the pace of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway’s construction. He highlighted that the expressway is poised to significantly decongest East Delhi’s Gandhi Nagar area and alleviate traffic on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway. Malhotra emphasized the importance of adhering to the project timeline to ensure the expressway’s timely opening to the public.
Addressing Waterlogging and Infrastructure Issues on NH 709B:
One of the critical issues addressed during the site visit was the persistent waterlogging on National Highway-9. NHAI officials explained that the parallel master drain of the MCD/PWD has been stagnated and overflooded for years. This drain, which also handles surface water from the NH, lacks capacity, causing water to back up and flood the service road. Minister Malhotra directed NHAI to collaborate with MCD/PWD for an immediate resolution, emphasizing the urgency of this issue.
Engaging with Local Residents and Addressing Their Concerns:
Throughout the visit, Minister Malhotra actively engaged with local residents, addressing their grievances and ensuring that infrastructure development would not adversely affect their daily lives. He announced the provision of two additional U-turns near Geeta Colony to facilitate better access for light motor vehicles. Moreover, he committed to developing a green belt underneath the flyover, enhancing environmental benefits for the area.
In response to requests from Sonia Vihar residents, Minister Malhotra assured that the toll plaza would be relocated 300 meters towards Uttar Pradesh, thereby exempting local residents from toll taxes. He also promised the rechannelling of the drain from the Uttar Pradesh side to prevent further waterlogging.
Immediate Actions in Sabhapur Village:
In Sabhapur village, Minister Malhotra instructed NHAI officials to promptly address the waterlogging issues, starting immediate work on the pipelines. He assured residents that a new service road would be constructed to improve connectivity with nearby villages, minimizing any hardships faced by the local population.
This site visit underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure and addressing local issues in a timely and effective manner. The collaborative effort between different government bodies and active engagement with the public sets a promising precedent for future projects in the region.
This extensive review of Harsh Malhotra’s site visit emphasizes the progress and challenges of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway and NH 709B, ensuring readers are informed of the government’s proactive steps towards infrastructure development.
