GURGAON: MCG is going to build a flyover and underpass at Atul Kataria Chowk, to ease traffic congestion at one of the busiest junctions on Old Delhi-Gurgaon road. The design for the project is likely to be finalised by November, after which, it will be forwarded for final approval and tendering.

MCG was earlier considering building either a flyover or an underpass at the crossing, but has now decided to build both. It has engaged a consultant to prepare a detailed project report (DPR). A source said the consultant had submitted a draft DPR a few days back, which MCG sent back with suggestions. MCG executive engineer Dharambir Malik said, "Together, the flyover and the underpass will make Atul Kataria Chowk a signal-free crossing. The chosen agency has already prepared the design, which needs some change."

A senior MCG official added, "After considering the current and future traffic flow on Old Delhi Gurgaon road, we decided to build both the flyover and the underpass, to make Atul Kataria Chowk signal-free."

As per plan, the flyover is proposed on the road from Dundahera border to Bus Stand on Old Delhi-Gurgaon road, while the underpass is proposed on the road from Maharana Pratap Chowk to Sheetla Mata road. The project is expected to cost around Rs 125 crore. However, the infrastructure development at the crossing won't be part of the ongoing Old Delhi-Gurgaon road upgrade project. A separate project is being prepared to develop the junction, officials said.

Underpasses and flyovers are being built at several important junctions on the Delhi-Gurgaon expressway — Signature Tower, Iffco Chowk, Rajiv Chowk and Hero Honda Chowk. While the underpasses at Signature Tower, Iffco Chowk and Rajiv Chowk are expected to be completed by May 2018, flyovers at Hero Honda Chowk and Maharana Pratap Chowk are already operational.

The demand for a flyover or an underpass at Atul Kataria Chowk was raised after then mayor Vimal Yadav objected to a plan by authorities to upgrade Old Delhi-Gurgaon road into a six-lane stretch, on grounds that it doesn't address two major problems faced by commuters on the road — congestion at Atul Kataria Chowk and lack of space to turn around for heavy trailers coming from the Maruti factory. 

The authorities had separately given approval for upgrading the 7.5km stretch of Old Delhi-Gurgaon road in 2015, without provision for either flyover or underpass at Atul Kataria Chowk. "The construction of flyover and underpass was needed at the crossing. The presence of the Maruti plant in the vicinity means there is heavy movement of large commercial vehicles across the chowk, causing congestion. Besides, this is an important junction connecting Old and New Gurgaons," said Surender Yadav, Sector 14 resident.