Gurgaon: Mixed response from commuters to key city infra projects

While residents are largely happy with the construction of new flyovers and underpasses in the city to ensure smooth flow of traffic in the city, some voiced their concern over trees hacked during construction and the increase in traffic jams and pollution.

Some key infrastructure projects, which are expected to be opened to the public by the end of this year, will ensure hassle-free commuting in the city. However, some residents said that while going forward with the city’s development plans, the authorities are losing sight of the likely environmental fallout.

“We have seen hundreds of trees chopped across the city while work on some of these projects was under way. Not a single sapling was planted over the last one ear. This resulted in an increase in the level of pollutants in the city’s air,” Mukesh Lal, a resident of Vatika City on Sohna Road, said.

Parvir Patil, another commuter from Sector 40, echoed the refrain saying that extensive unregulated construction work does not lead to planned development of any city.

“The underpass at the Signature Tower could have had some rainwater harvesting units inside or solar panels on top to produce renewable energy. I feel we lost an opportunity to boost the city’s groundwater recharge. Use of iron and plastic to cover the underpasses is also not a modern approach to construction,” Patil said.

Commuters also raised questions on the underpass at Rajiv Chowk.

“While going from Sohna Chowk to Rajiv Chowk, there is an underpass on the left which is not required for commuters. Since left-turn is free, there was no use for an underpass at that junction. The underpass has only taken up road space and will serve little purpose,” Anish Agarwal, a resident of Uniworld Gardens on Sohna Road, said.

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Although some commuters expressed concern over the unplanned construction, others said that the projects, once opened, will reduce congestion and cut down travel time during rush hour.

“I stay in Sector 71 and travel to Udyog Vihar every day. It takes more than an hour to reach office. These new underpasses will reduce traffic jams and help us save time and energy,” Tulika Singh, a resident of Tulip Orange, said.

Residents said though the city is getting new underpasses, several new sectors are yet to get motorable roads and connectivity, which is a major concern for thousands of people living along the Dwarka Expressway and beyond Sohna Road along Southern Peripheral Road (SPR).