NHAI awaits utilisation report for green corridor along Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Faridabad
Even as the 24-km passage of Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, which passes through the city, has become operational, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is yet to receive the utilisation certificate for the work related to compensatory plantation along the corridor.
The NHAI had released funds to the tune of Rs 5 crore for the work nearly three years ago.
According to sources in the NHAI and district administration, though the part two of the expressway connecting Mithapur (Jaitpur Pushta) on the Delhi border and in Kelly village of Ballabhgarh subdivision in the district has been made functional, the issue of compensatory plantation or the proposal of development of a green corridor along the expressway is a cause for concern as the department concerned is yet to submit the compliance report of the project, for which funds were released way back in 2022.
“The utilisation certificate had been sought around a year ago and the NHAI had taken up the matter with district officials, the authorities concerned are yet to reveal the details through the proper format for the utilisation of the funds meant for plantation,” said an NHAI official.
Expressing dissatisfaction, an official of the Faridabad Metropolitan Development Authority (FMDA) said a proper report about the green corridor was yet to be submitted despite the matter being highlighted during a meeting chaired by the local MP last month.
As the NHAI had provided funds to the Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) for the purpose in March 2022, the work involved compensatory forestry along the passage as around 5,700 trees had been removed to pave way for the construction of the expressway.
The State Information Commission had also directed the HSVP in June last year to furnish the details of the plantation work carried out to Ajay Bahl, a local who had lodged a complaint to get the details about the work through an RTI application two years ago. Though plantation across several acres in Sector 59 here has been claimed to be carried out, a proper report is yet to be submitted.
Faridabad HSVP Administrator Sahil Gupta said since he had recently taken over the charge, he would have to inquire from the officials concerned about the status of the matter. HSVP Superintending Engineer Sandeep Dahiya said 63,000 trees had been planted in Sector 59 as part of the compensatory plantation work and Rs 3.50 crore had been spent on the project.
