Gurgaon: Civic bodies to give e-way service lanes a facelift

GURGAON: The National Highways Authority of India is planning to spruce up the service lanes of the Delhi-Gurgaon expressway by cleaning the drains, clearing waste and increasing the green cover.
However, the NHAI has decided to hand over the job to civic agencies instead of the concessionaire, Millennium City Expressways Private Ltd (MCEPL). "When the shops and houses located near the green belt are paying taxes to the municipal authorities, these agencies ought to take the responsibility of cleaning up the mess they generate," said a senior NHAI official.
Raghuraman S, CEO of MCEPL, said that the idea was mooted during a recently held meeting and was acknowledged by the senior officials of HUDA and MCG. "We will ensure the service lanes are given a facelift, be it cleanliness or horticulture. This will be led by the civic agencies," Raghuraman said.
The NHAI's project director (Gurgaon), Ashok Kumar Sharma, said, "The green belt will be maintained by HUDA while most of the area between Rajiv Chowk and Kherki Daula will be looked after by the MCG. Wherever there is need for repair, it will be carried out by the concessionaire."
Anita Yadav, HUDA administrator, said, "We agree that shopkeepers and occupants along service lanes are responsible for choking of drains and degradation of greenery. I issued directions to the engineering and horticulture department for a plan. We will submit it to the civic agency as soon as we get it."