Haryana News: NHAI Identifies Land Requirement for Two New Flyovers at Rajiv Chowk

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has fast-tracked plans to build two new flyovers at Gurugram notoriously gridlocked Rajiv Chowk, identifying 3.05 hectares of land for the critical infrastructure upgrade. This move, finalized with a preliminary land acquisition report this week, is a direct response to escalating traffic volumes—exacerbated by the 2023 opening of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway—and aims to finally untangle one of Haryana's most congested intersections. The current Rajiv Chowk intersection, despite an existing flyover and underpass, has become a severe choke point where long-distance highway traffic from the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway, Sohna Highway, and now the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway converges with local Gurugram commutes. NHAI proposal addresses this by designing a right-turn flyover for vehicles from Sohna towards the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway (Sector 15) and another for seamless movement from Sector 32 towards Sohna Highway, aiming for signal-free transit. The project also faces the complexity of coordinating land acquisition from multiple government agencies, including the Department of Telecommunications and the Air Force, and integrating with the forthcoming RapidX semi-high-speed rail station, highlighting the intricate planning required for urban infrastructure development in rapidly expanding metropolitan areas like Gurugram. Critics, however, warn against the 'Iron Law of Congestion', suggesting that simply adding more road capacity may only induce more traffic in the long run, and advocate for integrated public transport solutions. With the land identification complete, NHAI is set to initiate discussions with the various government departments and the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) to expedite land transfer, particularly addressing the significant parcel held by the Department of Telecommunications at a ministerial level. The project is currently in the design and alignment phase, with a Detailed Project Report and definitive construction timeline still pending. Meanwhile, the Haryana government is also pushing for 'Work From Home' policies and staggered office hours to mitigate Gurugram broader traffic woes, underscoring a multi-pronged approach to the city's mobility crisis that extends beyond just new asphalt.