Shri Nitin Gadkari Reviews Progress of India’s first Grade- Separated Urban Expressway (Dwarka Expressway)
Shri Nitin Gadkari expressed hope that the 29-kilometer long Expressway, being constructed under the Bharatmala Project
The Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari reviewed the progress of India’s First Grade Separated Urban Expressway, Dwarka Expressway (NH – 248BB) today. The Minister made an inspectional visit to Dwarka Expressway with public representatives and Media. Shri Nitin Gadkari expressed hope that the 29-kilometer long Expressway, being constructed under the Bharatmala Project and with a cost of Rs.8,662 crore, would be completed before Independence Day next year.
The Shri Nitin Gadkari said that “it will be the first-ever elevated Urban Expressway in India and will immensely help to reduce the air pollution in Delhi-NCR”. While addressing media persons after the inspection of the project, Shri Nitin Gadkari said that the Dwarka Expressway would also be the first instance of a project where Tree Plantation of approximately 12,000 trees has been undertaken, keeping the protection of the environment in view. He further said that “based on this experience, the method will be replicated across the country”.
The Minister stated that the Delhi-Gurugram section of National Highway-8, a part of Delhi-Jaipur-Ahmedabad-Mumbai arm of Golden Quadrilateral (GQ), is presently carrying traffic of over three lakh Passenger Car Units (PCUs), which is much beyond the design capacity of this 8-lane highway, leading to severe congestion and with the construction of the present project, 50 to 60 percent traffic on National Highway-8 will be reduced. The project will also provide around 50 thousand direct or indirect employment opportunities.
Being built in four packages, the total length of the Expressway is 29 kilometres out of which 18.9-kilometre length falls in Haryana while the remaining 10.1-kilometre length is in Delhi. It starts from Shiv-Murti on National Highway-8 and ends near KherkiDaula Toll Plaza.
The Minister said that the project, once complete, will be an engineering marvel of India as it has several unique features. This will have the longest (3.6 kilometers) and widest (8 lanes) Urban Road Tunnel in India. The project’s road network will also comprise four levels, i.e., tunnel/underpass, at-grade road, elevated flyover, and flyover above flyover.
It will also comprise India’s first 9-kilometer long 8-lane flyover (34-meter wide) on a single pier with 6-lane service roads. There will be a fully automated tolling system with 22 lanes toll plaza. The entire project will be equipped with Intelligent Transportation System (ITS). The project has a total estimated consumption of two lakh MT of steel, which is 30 times that of the Eiffel Tower. The total estimated consumption of 20 lakh Cum of Concrete is six times of the Burj Khalifa building.
