After Two Years’ Delay, AAP Government Finally Gives Approval To NHAI For Package 2 Of Dwarka Expressway Project

Delhi government has finally granted its approval to package two of Dwarka Expressway and the work is expected to start next month. “We have got the approval to shift the trees; work will start soon on package two,” NHAI chief general manager Manoj Kumar was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

The much delayed expressway project will connect Shiv Murti at Mahipalpur to a point near Kherki Daula toll plaza, and further connect the Southern Peripheral Road with Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway through an interchange.

Package one and two saw a delay of almost two years because of Kejriwal government citing reservations over cutting down of around 6,500 fully grown trees falling on the road’s alignment.

Only after repeated submissions by the Ministry of Road and Transport and groups of homebuyers who have invested in areas along this expressway, the Delhi government approved the package last week.

According to a senior officer in the ministry, the permission for transplanting and cutting trees on this stretch was granted last week by the forest department of the Delhi government.

The NHAI officials said that they will transplant around 3,500 trees and compensatory afforestation will be done for another 3,000. For the plantation drive, the NHAI has identified areas along the Dwarka Expressway and Yamuna floodplains, adding that some plantation would also be done on land identified by DDA and the Delhi forest department.

“For every tree that is felled, we will plant 10 times the number and ensure it survives by ensuring maintenance and care for next five years ,” said a senior NHAI official.

The 29.1-km Dwarka Expressway consists of a 11-km Delhi corridor and the remaining 18.1-km falls in Haryana. It is being developed in four packages. While work on packages three and four, which fall in Gurugram, has already started, package one is still waiting for approval from Delhi government.