NHAI turns its back on motorists’ safety

September 9, 2013

Sanjeev K Ahuja , Hindustan Times Gurgaon,

Motorists headed for the service road leading to Ambience Mall — a major Gurgaon landmark — have to literally risk their lives day in and day out while they attempt a right turn via the U-turn after emerging from the Sirhaul toll plaza on Delhi-Gurgaon expressway.

Even as speeding cars rush past these waiting vehicles — sometimes avoiding accidents just by a whisker — there is no solution to the issue in sight despite a high court intervention.

The U-turn is absolutely critical for people headed for Ambience Mall, Hotel Leela Kempinski or Lagoon Apartments.

Thousands coming from the Gurgaon side also have to avail of this turning to reach the service road leading to DLF Phase 3, DLF Cybercity, Belvedere Tower & Park, DLF City Phase 2, etc.

Suggestions to construct an underpass here have gone unheard as this was not provisioned in the detailed project report made by the National Highways Authority of India.

“I had proposed to bear the cost of the subway for the welfare of commuters who has to take a right turn from this U-turn and risk their lives to get to the other side of the expressway through the service road. I had also suggested shifting the toll plaza away from Ambience Mall,” said Raj Gehlot, the promoter of Ambience Island.

In September last, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had directed the Gurgaon police not to allow vehicles coming from the Gurgaon side to take a right turn.

However, soon after, public outrage had forced the Haryana Urban Development Authority administrator to intervene and remove the barricades.

In case the U-turn is permanently blocked, the commuters will have to pay toll twice and take a detour of 3.5 kilometres to get to the service lanes.

Source-http://www.hindustantimes.com