The Approval of Delhi Government on Dwarka Expressway Package Two

The wait is over for the most anticipated Delhi government approvals of 2019 for the package two of the Dwarka Expressway. This delayed project is probably starting from the next month, said the officials who have witnessed its preparation.

On Tuesday, a senior official in the union ministry for road transport and highways has reaffirmed the sanction for transplanting and cutting trees accorded by the forest department of the Delhi government.

The connection of Shiv Murti at Mahipalpur to a point near Kherki Daula toll plaza will spread in 29.1 km. On top of that, the multi-functionality of this project will also connect the Southern Peripheral Road with Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway via reciprocity.

The division of package one and two between Delhi and Haryana is in 11 and 18.1 km respectively. Being a part of two highly polluted cities, this project is going to be a major disappointment for environmentalists because of the required deforestation of 6,500 matured trees falling on the align, ent of the road. This is one of the reasons behind its delay as well, after all, cutting trees cannot be justified at all.

The union transport ministry and groups of home-buyers have invested in this expressway in a good amount, that’s why it has been enlivened. According to NHAI officials, this project has been passed last week on exacting conditions of transplantation and forestation as the compensation of clearing the greenery on an enormous scale.

NHAI chief general manager Manoj Kumar said, “We have got the approval to shift the trees; work will start soon on package two,” while vindicating for the package two which is going take a month to start.

NHAI officials have a strategic plan to transplant around 3500 trees, for now, the remaining compensation of 300 trees will be done later. NHAI has also listed some pieces of lands identified by DDA and Delhi forest department, on which they will bring back the lost greenery; for the follow up of the condition of Delhi Government.

A senior NHAI official said, “The highways authority will follow the norms set by the Delhi government and ensure that trees are transplanted safely. For every tree that is felled, we will plant 10 times the number and ensure it survives by ensuring maintenance and care for the next five years,”

There are four packages in which property on Dwarka Expressway will be developed. The 4.5 km road from Dwarka sector 21 in the package to underpass the Haryana border. It encompasses elevated structure on the parallel side, which has a huge exchange to provide connectivity to Gurugram from Najafgarh, Dwarka and West Delhi. Apart from this, there will be eight upraised lanes and six surface lanes with several entries and exit from Urban Estate Road-2 and the India International Convention Center in Dwarka Sector-25.

Package one of a 5.3-km stretch from Shiv Murti on NH48 to rail under-bridge near sector 21 is still on hold, nothing can be about its approval. Preparation on package three and four has also started in Gurugram which is expected to get the road ready by 2020.