The National Highways Authority of India has begun pre-monsoon maintenance on the Delhi-Gurugram stretch of NH-48 and the Sohna elevated expressway to prevent waterlogging and hydroplaning, officials said on Tuesday.
Repairs, to be completed by May, include cleaning down-take piping to prevent leakage, lubrication of bearing structures to ensure crack-free roads, and anti-glare measures to reduce reflections on wet surfaces, officials said.
Officials said concessionaires appointed on 15-year contracts are mandated to inspect and repair drain pipelines and bearing fitments along the expressway at four-month intervals. However, residents flagged persistent leakages during rain spells, raising concerns over the effectiveness of maintenance.
“Frequent leakages occur in Badshahpur and Bondsi stretches, with water pouring on my car windshield every 100m,” said Ahsas Taluja, a resident of Sector 66.
Another daily commuter, Jeeva Thavasiraj, said the issue poses safety risks, particularly for two-wheeler riders using ground lanes. “It increases the chances of skidding and hydroplaning,” he said.
A senior NHAI official said desilting is underway on a 7km elevated stretch between Rajiv Chowk and Ghamroj. “As part of the safety checks, the blocked pipelines would be cleared of dust and debris to prevent leakage and waterlogging. Concessionaire will be accompanied by route patrolling units to conduct frequent inspections addressing the residents’ concerns about the safety of high-speed corridors,” the official said.
Officials said waterproofing has been completed on a 6km stretch from Rajiv Chowk to Islampur village out of the 22km corridor up to Sohna. “The remaining work will take another three months,” a maintenance official said. A spot check near Vatika Chowk found cranes and blowers being used to remove debris from bearing fitments on pillars.
Separately, NHAI awarded a maintenance contract in March for NH-48 upkeep. “Drainage cleaning and phased repairs are planned on a 44km corridor connecting Gurugram to Delhi and another 64km from Gurugram to Rewari. Twenty mobile pumps have been procured to prevent waterlogging,” the senior official added.
Joint inspections by NHAI and the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram found sewer overflow issues on link roads. “Illegal connections disposing wastewater in NHAI drains from Rajiv Chowk to Bhondsi are being disconnected,” an MCG official said.