Civic polls slam brakes, SPR repair is a long road ahead

Gurgaon: Critical repairs to a 5.5km stretch of the Southern Peripheral Road (SPR) between Vatika Chowk and NH-8 have had to be put off till the March 12 municipal elections, leaving thousands of daily commuters to navigate hazardous road conditions.
GMDA had in Dec last year initiated the tendering process with a proposed budget of Rs 9.6 crore, but the implementation of the model code of conduct for the civic polls has forced a temporary halt to the project.
This vital corridor — serving as a link to sectors 48 and 69-80 — has deteriorated significantly, and developed extensive surface damage such as deep craters, potholes, and widespread cracks. The situation leads to persistent traffic congestion and poses serious safety risks to commuters.
"The authority's reliance on temporary patch repairs over the past 4-5 years has proven ineffective. Even a light spell of rain causes immediate deterioration on the stretch," said Dhirender Singh, a resident of Sector 79.
The road's condition has had fatal consequences as well. In Dec last year, a motorcyclist lost control of his two-wheeler after hitting a pothole and was fatally struck by a truck. This prompted the traffic police to formally request GMDA to undertake urgent repairs, citing escalating safety concerns.
The redevelopment of SPR has been in the planning since 2019. While GMDA successfully completed repairs from Ghata village to Vatika Chowk in March last year, the cratered section remained unaddressed.
A senior GMDA official said six agencies had submitted bids for the repair work, and technical evaluations were being conducted for them.
"We are exploring the possibility of obtaining a special permission to start repair work immediately and provide relief to commuters," the official said.
Additionally, the authority is advancing plans for a comprehensive upgrade of SPR, which includes a signal-free elevated corridor.
The deteriorating road conditions have created additional environmental concerns, with residents alleging significant dust pollution from potholes and cracks.
"The way the stretch has been kicking up dust is unbearable. It forces us to roll up our car windows constantly," said Trilok Sharma, a Sector 69 resident. "Until the elections are over, commuters have little option but to navigate these hazardous conditions," he added.