Narrow entry-exit points lead to jams on Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway

Unavailability of land along the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway have ensured that the multiple entry and exit points on the highway could not be widened. The insufficient space at these points and poor design of major junctions lead to frequent congestions on the highway.

There are 19 entry and 17 exit points on the expressway. But due to non-availability of land, only 15 of them have been retrofitted, to some extent, by the highway authority.

Not only unavailability of land, but civic utilities like water pipelines, power cables and poles, underground gas pipeline, drains and presence of green belts also act as obstructions in the expansion of the entry and exit points.

The highway concessionaire had also redesigned the junctions, but several issues cropped up then too and only minor changes could be made.

According to experts, to resolve the problem of congestion on the road, it is important to add more space and lanes to the entry and exit points. At present, they have only single lane.

Dr Sewa Ram, associate professor, School of Planning and Architecture, said it is important to give right space to vehicles so that the merging and demerging of traffic can take place with ease.

“What is missing in Gurgaon is parallel sector roads to cater to the local traffic. The service lanes are inadequate because of increasing traffic. Also, the city does not have good local transport system,” he said.

As per the Gurgaon Manesar Urban Mobility plan, Rajiv Chowk, Iffco Chowk, Signature Tower and Shanker Chowk cater to almost 15,000 vehicles per hour during peak hours. Neeraj Diwan, road safety officer, said pedestrian crossings at these points are also very high and this cause jams as there are no footpaths and zebra crossings on the road.

Pankaj Tomar, who uses the Gurgaon Expressway frequently, said he often gets stuck at the entry and exit points.

“Many accidents take place at these points. If they cannot be redesigned, at least the government should reduce their number,” Tomar said.

Highway concessionaire MCEPL said though some changes have been made, but till all stakeholders, particularly government agencies, come on board, making bigger changes is difficult.

“We have submitted details of six junctions and 17 entry/exit points where we need land. If land is made available, improvements can be done. There is a gas pipeline, high-tension wires and compound walls that restrict the work,” said S Raghuraman, CEO, MCEPL.