More than 3.5 lakh vehicles pass through this expressway every day.
The Delhi-Gurugram Expressway, which is considered as the 'lifeline' of the area, is awaiting major repair work. Currently, the Millenium City Expressway Private Limited (MCEPL) is responsible for its maintenance but due to the company's negligence, the work is in a pending state for more than one and a half years.
According to a report published in Jagran.com, Rs 18 lakh is being imposed as fine on the firm every day from January 23, 2018, for not carrying out work. Interestingly, the amount of penalty has reached approximately Rs 90 crore till date whereas a total of Rs 180 crore has been allotted as repairing cost.
As per norms, there is a provision of charging 0.1 per cent of the total cost to be spent on the repairing work as 'fine'.
The state of the expressway is going to get worse as monsoon is expected to reach Delhi-NCR in the first week of July. Potholes will surface at various spots which will make things difficult for the commuters using the stretch.
MCEPL was expected to begin repairing work from January 23, 2018, but it is yet to submit its plan to the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).
According to sources, chairman of the NHAI too recently reviewed the issue. During his visit, the officials of the MCEPL assured that by June 14, they will prepare and submit the plan to NHAI but no progress has been witnessed in this regard. In such a scenario, the Centre and the highway authority will face the wrath by the general public.
A reminder will be issued to the company concerned next week to begin the repair work.