Construction work on a vital 2.5km section of the new Gurugram Metro corridor has come to a halt due to delays in right of way (RoW) clearance and shifting of essential utilities. The affected stretch lies between Umang Bhardwaj Chowk and Hero Honda Chowk and forms a critical part of Phase 1 of the 15.3km metro corridor connecting Millennium City Centre to Sector 9.
While construction activities such as pile cap work and foundational developments are progressing in other parts of the corridor, this particular segment has emerged as a bottleneck due to multiple inter-agency dependencies.
Power Poles, Pipelines and Sewer Lines Create Complex Dependencies
Officials confirmed that several underground and overhead utilities are obstructing the metro alignment. These include water supply pipelines, sewer lines, electricity poles and power transmission infrastructure.
According to National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials, relocation of power poles by Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) is a prerequisite for further utility work. Until the electricity infrastructure is shifted, water and sewer line relocation cannot begin.
“We are dependent on DHBVN for shifting the power poles along the corridor. Once that is completed, we will begin pipeline and sewer relocation work, which is expected to take around three months,” an official said.
Additionally, work related to the Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam Limited (HVPNL) substation is ongoing and is expected to be completed by June.
Structures Along Alignment Add to Delays
The corridor alignment also passes through areas where certain structures fall within the proposed metro construction zone. These include a shop, a portion of Himgiri Ashram and a CNG station. Authorities have indicated that demolition of boundary walls and clearance work will begin soon to free up space.
Officials clarified that although metro infrastructure requires limited surface area, the dense network of utilities across this stretch makes relocation mandatory before construction can safely proceed.
Timeline Pressure on Phase 1
The Phase 1 contract worth Rs 1,277 crore was awarded in August last year to Dilip Buildcon and Ranjit Buildcon, with a completion deadline of 30 months. However, the delay in clearing this 2.5km stretch could impact the overall project timeline if not resolved swiftly.
A recent coordination meeting between Gurugram Metro Rail Limited (GMRL), NHAI and GMDA reviewed the situation and sought firm timelines for RoW clearance.
With Gurugram’s growing traffic congestion, the metro corridor is seen as a major mobility solution. Officials stressed that faster coordination among departments is crucial to prevent further setbacks.
