The Centre has greenlit a new ₹325-crore four-lane National Highway stretching 45 kilometres from Nuh to Ferozepur Jhirka and extending to the Rajasthan border. This critical infrastructure project, part of National Highway 248-A, promises to drastically cut travel times and significantly improve road safety across South Haryana. Its approval marks a pivotal moment for a region that has long grappled with perilous road conditions, underscoring a commitment to equitable and safer urban development.
The ambitious project encompasses nine flyovers, six underpasses, and strategic bypasses at Malab and Bhadas in Nuh. With a targeted completion timeline of two years, this highway is poised to alleviate the severe risks associated with a stretch infamously known as the “bloody highway,” which has tragically accounted for over 2,500 fatalities in the past twelve years. This direct intervention addresses a pressing human safety crisis, paving the way for a more secure and efficient transport corridor vital for regional socio-economic growth and sustainable urbanisation.
This transformative infrastructure boost is largely the culmination of persistent advocacy and sustained public pressure spanning over a decade. Local activist groups have been at the forefront of this impassioned campaign since 2013, employing various forms of civic engagement, including hunger strikes and widespread protests. A compelling petition, endorsed by over 20,000 residents, meticulously highlighted the dangers posed by the existing narrow roads, underscoring the community’s unwavering demand for immediate and decisive corrective measures to safeguard lives and livelihoods.
Initially, a ₹186-crore proposal received approval in 2019, but the project subsequently faced a temporary deferral due to the planned construction of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway traversing the same vicinity. However, with a renewed focus and a revised, elevated budget, the Centre has now moved forward, reflecting the project’s critical importance. Stakeholders have widely welcomed the tender release, acknowledging its profound potential to enhance connectivity, bolster safety, and unlock previously constrained opportunities for the region’s inhabitants.
The commissioning of this new highway transcends mere infrastructural development; it represents a significant stride towards creating more equitable and safer urban environments. By directly tackling a notorious safety hazard and fostering improved connectivity, the project will empower communities, facilitate smoother economic activity, and support a more integrated regional fabric. This development stands as a testament to the power of collective action in securing essential public services that contribute to a resilient, accessible, and inclusive future for all.
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