Pm Modi recently inaugurated India’s first-ever 8-lane elevated Dwarka Expressway on the National Highway 48.
This opening of this road signalled a monumental achievement in the nation’s endeavour to tackle traffic congestion in Delhi. Here are some key features of this Dwarka Expressway that make it special.
Length and expenditure: Spanning 29 km and built at a cost of INR 4,100 crore, the expressway features underpasses, tunnels, elevated structures, and flyovers, which are all aimed at tackling the traffic flow between Delhi and Gurugram.
Geographical spread: Covering 18.9 km in Haryana and 10.1 km in Delhi, the expressway in all likelihood will transform the commuting experience for individuals in the region.
Time-saving measures: With this expressway now accessible by commuters, one can look forward to a substantial reduction of at least 20 minutes in travel time between Delhi and Gurugram, which will eventually contribute to enhanced connectivity and operational efficiency.
Tackling traffic: Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, stressed that the new expressway will not only ease congestion on the existing NH-48, but will also have a positive influence on the lives of residents in the area.
UER-2 completion: The soon-to-be-completed Delhi’s Urban Extension Road-2 (UER-2) within two months is further anticipated to slash traffic towards Dhaula Kuan by 70 percent, resulting in a mere half-hour journey from Panipat to Delhi airport.
Environmentally conscious: Referring to this, Gadkari highlighted the project’s eco-friendly approach, incorporating 30,000 tons of waste in its construction, showcasing a steadfast commitment to sustainability.
The elevated portion of Dwarka Expressway in Gurgaon, spanning 19km with 8 lanes, features a unique single-pier construction. This design offers dual benefits by minimising land requirements for the expressway and allowing broader service roads to accommodate the city’s high-volume traffic. Furthermore, the expressway’s layout prohibits any development, such as shops or houses, along its path or spurs. Access to the expressway is restricted to specific entry points.
The expressway provides a direct connection to IGI’s Terminal 3 through a 2.3km tunnel that links Mahipalpur to T3. Notably, a 500 m segment of the tunnel near the airport is designed to be blastproof.
The 10.1 km-long expressway in Delhi will be connected to Basai in Haryana and features an 8.6-km-long elevated section with an 8-lane main carriageway. Prominent features include traffic signal-free lanes, cycle tracks, four vehicular underpasses, an elevated service road at five major junctions, subways, footpaths, rainwater harvesting, and groundwater recharge facilities. Reports add that it’s the widest railway-over-bridge with 16 lanes and one of the longest ‘bow spring steel bridges’ at 125 m.
