New Delhi: Delhi govt on Tuesday cleared a Rs 454-crore project involving a nearly 61-km-long road corridor along both sides of the Najafgarh drain. The corridor, which is set to be completed by Nov 2027, will ease traffic congestion and improve connectivity between the city and some of its rural pockets, chief minister Rekha Gupta said.
The project, okayed at a meeting of the finance expenditure committee chaired by the CM, involves constructing a two-lane road along the drain, thereby creating an alternative intra-city route aimed at reducing pressure on arterial roads, cutting travel time and fuel consumption and lowering vehicular emissions. According to govt officials, a 5.9-km stretch will be built on the left bank of the drain from Jhatikra Bridge to Chhawla Bridge. From Chhawla to Basaidarapur, roads will come up on both sides for 27.4 km, taking the total developed length across both banks to 60.7 km. The proposed corridor will intersect with several major stretches, including Outer Ring Road, Inner Ring Road, Shivaji Marg, Pankha Road, UER-II (connecting to NH-9/Rohtak Road) and Najafgarh Road. The stretch will link with Inner Ring Road At Basaidarapur, with Outer Ring Road at Keshopur, with Pankha Road at Vikaspuri, Najafgarh Road at Kakrola and UER-II at Dhulsiras, enabling direct access to IGI Airport and Dwarka Expressway.Govt said the project will benefit both urban and rural areas of Delhi, connecting Dhansa to Basaidarapur and improving access for residents of Uttam Nagar, Vikaspuri, Najafgarh, Bijwasan, Chhawla, Goyla Dairy, Dwarka, Baprola, Nilothi, Paschim Vihar and Rajouri Garden, apart from the airport. Connectivity to Gurgaon’s Sectors 104 and 110 is also expected to improve. Several villages linked to Dwarka Expressway — including Galibpur, Rawta Mor, Daurala, Jhuljhuli, Sarangpur, Dhansa, Ghummanhera, Shikarpur, Jhatikra, Kanganheri and Chhawla — are set to gain improved access to key city routes. Developing the corridor will also help protect govt land along the drain, the officials said.The road will be approximately 7 metres wide and include dedicated tracks for walking, jogging and cycling. A new bridge is planned near Dwarka metro depot to facilitate smoother movement. The stretch will be landscaped, trees planted, streets lit and signage put up. Drainage systems will be built to prevent waterlogging during monsoon. Boundary walls will be constructed or repaired wherever required.The project received sanction from the technical committee and flood control board. Govt plans to secure administrative approvals by the next month, complete the tendering process by April and begin construction in May.
