News: No dust control? Revamp on, key Hero Honda Chowk link turns dust bowl-05-11-2025
Gurgaon: The 2.2-km road between Hero Honda Chowk and Umang Bharadwaj Chowk has become a major dust source as NHAI leaves mounds of soil and debris unattended. Locals said no dust-control measures are being followed, worsening pollution in the area.
The stretch, which is under redevelopment by NHAI, has a completion target of April 2027.
"This area became a construction zone for the past two years, and now there is constant dust in the air. Driving through this stretch is suffocating. The situation gets worse during peak hours when slow-moving traffic kicks up more dust. Even people walking or waiting for autos or buses are worst affected. At least, the civic authorities should implement strict protocol to mitigate dust pollution," said Udaybir Singh, a resident of Sector 10A.
Suraj Bhola, general secretary of Sector 9A RWA, said, "It's extremely difficult to drive here, as dust reduces visibility, and the uneven surface causes frequent traffic snarls. During peak hours, vehicles crawl bumper to bumper as the road narrows at several points. It takes 20-25 minutes just to cross this 2 km road. Trucks and cars move at a snail's pace, and you can't even keep the windows open because of the thick dust. It feels like driving through a construction site every day."
The road is a key link between the Delhi-Jaipur Expressway (NH-48) and several industrial and residential sectors: 9, 10, and 37. While the redevelopment project is being executed by NHAI, GMDA is bearing its cost. Under the plan, the road will be widened into a six-lane corridor with service roads on both sides, and a flyover will come up at Umang Bharadwaj Chowk to streamline traffic flow.
Earlier, GMDA asked NHAI to make provisions for two vehicular underpasses along the stretch to cater to local traffic. However, an NHAI official said the final decision on this proposal is yet to be taken.
Approved in 2017, the project is part of a broader plan to upgrade the 5.6 km section between Hero Honda Chowk and Dwarka Expressway. Over the years, the redevelopment of this 2.2 km stretch faced repeated delays due to indecision over design and execution modalities, casting a shadow on the upgradation of this key stretch.
Hero Honda Chowk is a major intersection on NH-48 that connects Delhi and Jaipur traffic with Gurgaon's industrial hubs, while Umang Bharadwaj Chowk serves as a crucial link to Pataudi Road, Dwarka Expressway, and adjoining industrial zones. Despite the opening of the Hero Honda flyover and underpass in 2017, surface-level congestion persisted, and the adjoining stretch towards Umang Bharadwaj Chowk continues to remain a traffic bottleneck.
Utility shifting, including drainage lines and HVPNL transmission lines, began in May this year.
"Instructions were given to the contracting agency to carry out regular water sprinkling and patch repairs with bituminous material. Utility shifting work, including stormwater drainage and HT line relocation, is under process. We will soon start shifting the substation. The utilities shifting is expected to be completed by March, after which civil construction work will begin," the NHAI official said.
