Traffic flow near Madhuban on NH-44 likely to be eased by March

The construction of a major bridge, along with two underpasses, on the augmentation canal near the Haryana Police Academy (HPA), Madhuban, is expected to be completed by March.

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This ambitious project will address the problem of the traffic bottleneck on the National Highway-44 near the augmentation canal, providing much-needed relief to commuters and local residents.

The project, which began in January 2023, was initially scheduled for completion by December 2024. However, the imposition of Phases 3 & 4 of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), aimed at controlling pollution levels, delayed construction for some days. Despite these delays, efforts have been intensified to ensure the completion of the project by March, said an official of the NHAI.

With an estimated cost of around Rs 25 crore, the project involves the upgrade of the existing four-lane carriageway of the NH-44 at the augmentation canal bridge to a six-lane configuration. This expansion will significantly enhance traffic flow, reducing congestion on the busy highway.

Besides, two underpasses will benefit villagers residing in nearby areas, including Madhuban, Unchasamana and others, providing safer and more convenient access across the highway, he added.

Assembly Speaker Harvinder Kalyan recently reviewed the progress of this project and directed officials to complete it at the earliest, after which the authorities are putting their best efforts.

Deputy Commissioner Uttam Singh said that the agency has been directed to ensure its completion at the earliest, so that a traffic bottleneck would be removed at this point.

Commuters and local residents also welcomed the development, anticipating smoother travel and improved connectivity on the road. They said that due to the bottleneck here, it had become an accident-prone area as the main carriageway was congested at the canal bridge, resulting in regular traffic jams. Several fatal accidents had taken place at this point, they said.

This issue had been raised during meetings of the district road safety committee on several occasions. Gharaunda MLA and Assembly Speaker Kalyan had raised the matter in the Haryana Assembly many times in the past.

“We are happy that the NHAI has pushed the work and it is likely to be completed by March. It will reduce the traffic bottleneck near the canal,” said Rohit, a local resident.