Dwarka Expressway: An Overview of the Northern Peripheral Road in India

The Northern Peripheral Road (NPR) or NH 248-BB, commonly known as the Dwarka Expressway, is a 27.6 km long, 8-lane controlled-access highway under construction. This infrastructure project is set to connect Mahipalpur in Delhi to Kherki Daula Toll Plaza in Gurgaon, Haryana. The Dwarka Expressway will serve as an alternative road link between Delhi and Gurgaon, expected to alleviate traffic congestion on the existing Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway.

Project Design and Route Details

Originally planned as an alternate road link between Delhi and Gurgaon, the NPR was initially projected to be 18 km long and was expected to be operational by 2012. However, issues related to land acquisition delayed the project. As of December 2018, the entire project costing approximately 7500 crore was in the process of being completed.

The expressway starts from km 20 of NH 48, the old NH 8, at Shiv Murti in Mahipalpur, and terminates near Kherki Daula Toll Plaza. Various extensions and additional route lengths have been added to the project scope, making it even more critical in alleviating traffic congestion.

Construction Challenges and Solutions

The construction of the Dwarka Expressway has faced several challenges, including land acquisition and the need to transplant trees from the route alignment. One major issue revolved around the NHAI's requirement of land from the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to remove and transplant 13,000 trees from the route alignment. This process involved significant delays, but in November 2018, Delhi's Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, agreed to provide the necessary land after discussions and negotiations.

The Prime Minister's office intervened in November 2018 to resolve the pending issues, leading to a quick resolution. The land for the 10 km section was handed over, and both Delhi's Airport Authority of India (AAI) and Highways and Special Vehicle Projects (HSVP) are working towards expediting the remaining resolution processes to ensure the project's timely completion.

Anticipated Impact on Traffic and Development

The completion of the Dwarka Expressway is expected to provide significant benefits to both residents and businesses in the region. By serving as a bypass for the congested Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway, it will reduce travel time, lower carbon emissions, and enhance overall traffic flow. This improved infrastructure is anticipated to support future urban development, economic growth, and ease of mobility for commuters.

Conclusion

The Dwarka Expressway, officially the Northern Peripheral Road or NH 248-BB, is a key project in facilitating better connectivity between Delhi and Gurgaon. Despite facing initial delays due to land acquisition and tree transplantation challenges, the project is in the process of being completed to meet its projected benefits.