Dwarka Expressway Inaugurated by PM Modi in Haryana: Benefits for Commuters Await
On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially opened the Haryana portion of India’s first-ever 8-lane stretch of the Dwarka Expressway. Covering a distance of 19 kilometers and built at a cost of ₹4,100 crore, the project is geared towards enhancing traffic movement and reducing congestion along the Delhi-Gurugram corridor on National Highway (NH)-48.
This segment covers a 10.2 km span from the Delhi-Haryana Border to Basai Rail-over-Bridge (ROB) and an 8.7 km stretch from Basai ROB to Kherki Daula. It will establish a direct link between the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi and the Gurugram Bypass.
“Today marks a significant milestone for connectivity throughout India. Around noon, 112 National Highways in various states will be either dedicated to the nation or have their foundation stones laid. The Haryana segment of the Dwarka Expressway will be officially opened. These initiatives are poised to enhance economic development and align with our endeavors to develop cutting-edge infrastructure.”
The Dwarka Expressway, costing ₹9,000 crore, is divided into four sections. The third and fourth segments, covering about 19 km, are in Gurugram, while the first two sections, totaling 10 km, are situated in Delhi.
Starting from Shiv Murti near Mahipalpur on the Delhi-Gurgaon expressway, the recently built road passes through Dwarka Sector 21, the Gurugram border, Basai, and ends near Kherki Daula on the national highway. It will be a fully access-controlled, grade-separated 14-lane Expressway, a pioneering initiative in India.
It will incorporate four multi-level interchanges, including tunnels or underpasses, a ground-level road section, an elevated flyover, and a flyover above the initial flyover.
The advanced highway will include an 8-lane elevated structure alongside India’s first 4 km long 8-lane tunnel near IGI airport. Described as a ‘shallow tunnel’ by The Times of India, it suggests minimal penetration or the need for tunnel boring machines. The tunnel construction was necessitated due to the challenge of erecting an elevated structure near the airport.
The beginning of the Dwarka Expressway will be marked by an interchange consisting of two underpasses beneath the existing NH 48, integrated with an elevated corridor.
According to government figures, NH 48 witnesses the movement of over 3 lakh vehicles daily. The construction of the expressway aims to ease traffic congestion, minimize productivity losses from traffic jams, and reduce vehicular pollution in the Delhi NCR region.
Construction on the Dwarka Expressway began in 2018, initially expected to be completed by 2021. However, project timelines were extended due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The National Highways Authority India (NHAI) has stated that work on the entire project will be finished by August of this year.
