This section of Dwarka Expressway shuts for 44 days for urgent repairs, peak-hour jams likely

Dwarka Expressway

Commuters travelling on the Dwarka Expressway will face disruptions as the entry from the elevated service road at Daulatabad Chowk towards Delhi will be closed for 44 days. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has shut down this section for the replacement of expansion joints, with the closure scheduled to last until April 30.

The closure is expected to impact those travelling from Sector 99 to 106 and adjoining areas of Dhankot, Basai and Kherki Majra, who will now need to take the surface road and merge onto the main expressway after Bijwasan toll plaza. Notably, the surface road, which will bear the additional load, is already in poor condition.

The 19-km Haryana section comprises two segments: a 10.2-km stretch from the Delhi-Haryana border to the Basai rail overbridge and an 8.7-km stretch extending to Kherki Daula.

According to the NHAI, an accident in January caused damage to the expansion joint, leading to urgent but temporary repairs. "However, upon further assessment, it was required to replace expansion joints to ensure the long-term durability of the structure. The work will be completed in 44 days," TOI quoted a NHAI official as saying.

The authorities also maintained that "all other traffic movements will remain unaffected" on the expressway, but daily commuters anticipate congestion and delays, especially during peak hours.

According to NHAI data, the Dwarka Expressway accommodates nearly one lakh passenger car units (PCU) daily. With a large portion of traffic redirected to the surface road, congestion is expected to worsen, particularly as the route is already heavily trafficked by vehicles from Old Railway Road, Daulatabad Road, and New Palam Vihar Extension.

Since its inauguration, the expressway, constructed at a cost of Rs 9,000 crore, has faced several maintenance issues, raising concerns among daily commuters and residents. In July 2024, just four months after opening, a 70-meter stretch near Sector 102 developed cracks, raising concerns about the quality of construction.