The Dwarka Expressway(DXP) Welfare Association has made a big issue of it because lakhs of its members are hard put to commute to their new homes for lack of proper road. Office bearers of the association, led by its Vice President Komal Ahuja and General Secretary Pradip Rahi, today alleged at a press conference here that Kejriwal was playing politics with the citizens of Delhi on the issue of Dwarka Expressway.

Seeking to put the blame on the Delhi Chief Minister and his team , they said they met the CM and his team recently, but they gave a clear impression that ultimately the BJP would benefit politically by making a big fanfare on completion of the Expressway. National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has taken over the project hanging fire for last eight years, they said, but it was waiting for Delhi Government’s land clearance, including cutting of trees falling under the Expressway. According to Mr Komal Ahuja, the NHAI has promised re-plantation of most of the trees uprooted, but the Delhi Government was yet to approve of its proposal.

Dwarka Expressway , conceived more than ten years ago as alternative to NH 8, has been completed for almost two-third of its length falling under the Haryana government. It is only the one-third of the road falling under Delhi that is causing problem. An estimated five lakh dwelling units constructed along the proposed highway are lying vacant for want of road. Once the road becomes operational, Delhi will see considerable decongestion, Mr Ahuja said.

It is on demand by house allotees that the road transport minister, Nitin Gadkari, announced the takeover of the construction of the expressway by NHAI sometime last year. It was at his behest that Haryana Government quickened the pace of construction work in its territory. The Haryana Government went out of its way to settle many land disputes lying in court over the expressway, the office bearers of the association said, giving full mark to Gadkari. “We are still putting faith on Gadkari who has shown sympathy for lakhs of allotees along the expressway.

The NH 8 is heavily congested with an estimated 15 lakhs vehicles plying on it daily. Once the Expressway is completed, said Mr Ahuja, it is expected to divert at least 6 lakh vehicles, thus greatly decongesting NH 8. This will become a boon to Delhi and Gurgaon commuters, he added.

Mr Ahuja claimed that according to studies conducted by experts, Delhi’s pollution levels will go down once the Expressway becomes operational. This is because vehicles cause considerable pollution to the city. Dwarka Expressway will cause dispersal of vehicles, thus reducing pollution level.