New Delhi – The National Highways Authority of India has initiated service road construction along the Urban Extension Road-2 to improve local connectivity and address long-standing concerns of residents in adjoining areas. This service road construction project responds to complaints about limited access and high toll charges for daily commuting, marking a significant step toward balancing highway efficiency with community needs.
Official Directive for Immediate Action
Officials confirmed that the authority has been directed to take up service road construction immediately to ensure smooth and safe movement for residents living near the corridor. The decision regarding service road construction was discussed during a recent review meeting chaired by Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Harsh Malhotra, where NHAI officials provided updates on project preparations.
The urgency surrounding this service road construction reflects the mounting pressure from local communities who have struggled with accessibility issues since UER-2 became operational.
Detailed Project Report Preparation
The preparation of a detailed project report for the service road construction has begun, marking the formal initiation of this critical infrastructure project. The DPR will outline alignment details, design specifications, cost estimates, and timelines for execution of the service road construction.
Officials familiar with the process explained that the service road construction will run parallel to sections of UER-2 where access points are currently limited. This lack of access has forced local commuters to use the main carriageway and pay toll charges even for short-distance travel, making the service road construction essential for community welfare.
UER-2 Background and Challenges
UER-2, also known as the city’s third ring road, was developed as a high-speed corridor to decongest arterial roads in Delhi and improve connectivity between national highways radiating from the capital. While the expressway has successfully reduced travel time for long-distance commuters, the absence of service road construction during the initial development phase created significant problems for nearby residents.
Residents of neighborhoods along the corridor have repeatedly raised concerns over the lack of service lanes and entry and exit points. The delayed service road construction has compelled them to pay tolls for routine daily trips, causing financial strain and frustration.
Benefits of Service Road Construction
The proposed service road construction is intended to provide alternative access for local traffic, separate from high-speed lanes, thereby improving safety and reducing congestion at toll plazas. This service road construction project is expected to include dedicated slip roads, signage, drainage provisions, and boundary protections to integrate the service lane with existing road infrastructure.
NHAI is coordinating with the Delhi government and local civic agencies to ensure the service road construction connects seamlessly with internal colony roads, creating a comprehensive local transportation network.
Land Availability and Consultant Engagement
A significant advantage for this service road construction is that land is already available for the project. “A consultant has been hired to prepare the DPR for the service road, for which land is already available,” an official confirmed.
While the DPR for service road construction is being prepared, the Delhi Development Authority will plan and finalize connections of its sector roads and inform NHAI so that these can be included in the detailed project report. This coordination ensures the service construction integrates with broader urban planning initiatives.
Timeline and Implementation Process
Another senior official indicated that the DPR for road construction will be finalized after site surveys and consultations with stakeholders, following which tendering and construction activities will commence. While no specific timeline has been announced for completion of the service road construction, directions have been issued to expedite preparations, indicating the project’s priority status.
Resident Advocacy Drives Action
The road construction initiative follows repeated representations from elected representatives and residents’ associations in areas adjoining UER-2. These stakeholders have consistently sought relief from toll charges for short-distance travel, making the service road construction a long-awaited solution.
Officials acknowledged that the ministry has taken note of these grievances and asked NHAI to implement measures that balance the corridor’s high-speed function with the mobility needs of surrounding localities through road construction.
Growing Toll Collection Concerns
Concerns over toll collection on UER-2 have intensified over the past year, making service road construction increasingly urgent. Residents of neighborhoods such as Dwarka, Najafgarh, Mundka, and urban villages in north-west Delhi have staged protests and submitted petitions to authorities demanding relief.
Residents argued that in the absence of parallel service roads or alternative routes provided through road construction, even short daily trips to nearby markets, schools, and workplaces required using the tolled expressway. Protesters gathered near toll plazas on several occasions, demanding exemption or concessional rates for local commuters.
Infrastructure Integration Planning
The road construction project is expected to include comprehensive infrastructure elements beyond just road surface. The planned service road construction will incorporate dedicated slip roads for safe entry and exit, clear signage for navigation, proper drainage provisions to prevent waterlogging, and boundary protections to separate local and high-speed traffic.
These elements of the road construction demonstrate NHAI’s commitment to creating a complete, functional solution rather than a minimal intervention.
Balancing Corridor Function with Community Needs
The road construction represents NHAI’s effort to balance UER-2’s primary function as a high-speed corridor with the legitimate mobility needs of surrounding communities. By providing alternative access through service road construction, the authority addresses community concerns while maintaining the expressway’s efficiency for long-distance travel.
This approach to service road establishes a model for future highway projects, emphasizing the importance of considering local community needs alongside broader transportation objectives in urban infrastructure development.
