On Expressway,a roadmap ignored

In its report submitted in July,the committee recommended several corrections to the Concessionaire DSC Ltd.

“There have been three meetings since then,” said the deputy commissioner,Gurgaon,Rajender Kataria. “We keep reviewing and recording as and when the members pay a visit at the Expressway.”

THE RECOMMENDATIONS

* The committee had discussed in length the hurdles that pedestrians face while crossing the road.

The report said: “Executive engineer,provincial division number II,PWD (B&R) disclosed that work on the third foot overbridge (to come beyond Rajiv Chowk) had been awarded which is to be completed by July 31,2009.”

The NHAI officials had also confirmed that the construction of three foot overbridges was in progress.

DSC Ltd said: “Two foot overbridges are functional between Shankar Chowk and IFFCO Chowk while three more are being pursued by NHAI/PWD. Before the Expressway was opened,we had built two overbridges (both on Delhi side) and four underpasses (one in Delhi,one at Delhi-Gurgaon border and two between Rajiv Chowk and Toll Plaza at Kherki Daula) as per the agreement.”

Newsline found: No foot overbridge beyond Rajiv Chowk till Kherki Daula toll plaza.

* The committee also called for designated places for ambulances and rescue vehicles on the Expressway.

The report said: “The concessionaire has tied up with a specific hospital in Gurgaon for ferrying trauma patients instead of placing their own ambulance. It is observed that the arrangement is nothing but a favour to a particular hospital and escaping its own contractual obligations. Concessionaire will place his fully equipped ambulance with all life saving equipment/drugs at suitable locations.” A week’s time was given for this since March.

DSC Ltd said: “For medical assistance,three dedicated and fully equipped ambulances are stationed at key locations on the Expressway and these are available round the clock. Of these,two ambulances are in arrangement with Paras Hospitals and one is supplied by the DSC Limited. All three ambulances are equipped with standard equipment and paramedical staff. In case of casualty,the ambulances transfer the injured to the nearest medical hospital.”

Newsline found: The ambulances are stationed at Ambience Mall,Rajiv Chowk and Kherki Daula Toll Plaza.

At Ambience mall,the ambulance from Paras Hospital was locked and even after waiting for almost 20 minutes,no staff came.

At Kherki Daula Toll Plaza (The DSC officials had to confirm the location),the ambulance from Paras hospital had a driver and an attendant (12th grader). There was no paramedical staff. As per DSC Ltd guidelines,paramedics are people with a diploma in general nursing.

At Rajiv Chowk (again,DSC Officials had to confirm location),the ambulance from DSC Ltd was stationed under the flyover. A driver and a nurse were waiting for the Newsline team. 

* The committee had recommended that the Concessionaire places proper rescue vehicles like cranes etc along the highway to remove damaged vehicles at the earliest. Also,with the rise in CNG/LPG vehicles commuting on the stretch — which are prone to fire — the Concessionaire was asked to place fire fighting vehicles on the highway.

DSC Ltd said: “Two rescue recovery vehicles — with a capacity of lifting160 tonnes — are available round the clock. Also,fire fighting equipment is installed under the Delhi-Gurgaon toll plaza.”

Newsline found: Two Terex rescue vehicles were stationed at the Delhi-Gurgaon Toll plaza. There were no fire tenders along the entire stretch of the Expressway.

* With no proper lane markings for fast and slow moving vehicles at any of the toll gates (32 in total) the committee wanted that work to be started in earnest.

The report said: “The Concessionaire submitted that they have started the work of erecting signage for this task which will be finished within a fortnight…”

It further directed DSC Ltd. to demarcate dedicated lanes at the toll plazas for ambulances,fire tenders and police vehicles.

DSC Ltd said: “Clear demarcations for light and heavy vehicles have been made on the carriage. The traffic police now have to ensure that vehicles adhere to the proper lane. The lane marking on the entire length was completed at the time of commencement.”

Newsline found: No segregation of lanes or dedicated lanes marked for emergency vehicles at any of the toll plazas.