Decks cleared, construction of 3 underpasses to begin in January

GURGAON: The construction of three underpasses at Rajiv Chowk, Signature Towers and IFFCO Chowk, to ease traffic flow on the expressway, will begin in January. The state government will bear 25% of the total cost of the project.
In a review meeting for the three underpasses, state PWD minister Rao Narbir Singh directed officials of concerned departments, including MCG and NHAI, to start the construction work from January.It was also decided in the meeting that NHAI will bear 75% of the total project cost, that is estimated at Rs 958 crore, while the remaining 25% would be provided by the state government.
Singh said for the project to begin in January, tenders will be called in December. "Which agency will acquire the land for the project was not clear. So both agencies were relying on each other for the acquisition. However, it has now been decided that NHAI alone will acquire the total project land," he added. He also said that the project, which is likely to be completed within two-and-a-half years, will end traffic bottleneck to a great extent.
The shifting of utilities, including electricity poles, sewer pipelines, water supply lines and telephone lines will cost Rs 35.99 crore to the agencies. Electricity poles will be shifted by the power department. The water and sewer lines will be shifted by HUDA and MCG. Agencies which own a particular stretch of land will get permission from the forest department to cut trees falling within the project area.
During the meeting, MCG officials informed the minister that a cremation ground near Signature Towers is coming in the way of project. On this, the minister directed MCG officials to build a cremation facility in Sector 29 at their own cost as replacement. He also directed officials of various departments to carry out survey of utilities to be shifted and present a report on it at the next meeting.