GURUGRAM: Residents and homebuyers were promised a signal-free connect between Delhi and Gurugram in 2007 — Dwarka Expressway was to be built at a budget of Rs 7,200 crore by 2010.However, nearly 11 years on, there is still no clarity on when the project will be completed. Owners of some structures in Kherki Daula coming in the way of the project are yet to be allotted alternative plots by Huda and high-tension towers in the area have not been removed yet.In the most recent development, Huda handed over a part of the land, lying between Delhi and Gurugram, to NHAI. The latter started construction on a 90-metre stretch near New Palam Vihar. However, due to rain, the charcoal cover of the road could not be laid and the work was paused. So, in three months, the project saw little progress and it is unlikely that construction will be completed any time soon despite Union minister Nitin Gadkari announcing in April that the expressway would be ready in one and a half years.The biggest hurdle to the project is 21 structures falling in the alignment of the expressway in Kherki Daula. Owners of these structures are yet to be given alternative plots which, according to a senior Huda official, will most likely be in Sector 37C. After possession is given, a demolition drive will be conducted and the structures will be cleared. Then, Huda will transfer the land to GMDA, which will transfer it to NHAI to construct the link road between the expressway and NH-8. This work is supposed to be done by beginning of January 2019 and construction will start thereafter.Another major hiccup is the high-tension power towers between sector 102A and 88. Not only are these towers coming in the way of the expressway but also making it difficult for several oustees, who have been allotted plots in the area, to construct their houses. Work for shifting these cables started in June, but it is unlikely to be completed by 2018-end.A private contractor is carrying out the work under the supervision of HVPNL.The problem is that even after these cables are removed, transfer of land will take time. According to senior Huda officials, nearly 18 awards (of land) has been acquired by Huda for Dwarka Expressway but mutation of only 8 awards has been done till date. The mutation and revenue record entry have to be done in Huda’s name for all 18 awards before the land is transferred to GMDA and then, to NHAI.The delay has miffed homebuyers who have invested their hard-earned money in different housing projects along the expressway.“The government has delayed the project for nearly 11 years, putting the development of Gurugram on hold. Hundreds of people invested their money here, expecting speedy completion of Dwarka Expressway,” said Praveen Malik, a homebuyer from Sector 92.

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