Gurgaon: The proposed facelift of Sheetla Mata Mandir Road may be put on hold. GMDA is exploring augmenting the capacity of Leg-2 master stormwater drain passing along the stretch.Leg-2 — a key component of the city’s drainage network — originates in Sector 27 and drains into Najafgarh drain, passing through sectors 29 and 41, NH8, Atul Kataria Chowk, Sheetla Mata Road, Ashok Vihar, railway culvert No 50, Dharampur village and Sector 107.The authority had planned to spend around Rs 20 crore on redevelopment of the road, including measures to improve traffic movement and pedestrian infrastructure.However, repeated waterlogging during the recent spells of heavy rainfall has prompted GMDA to reassess the plan — aimed at easing chronic congestion and improving pedestrian movement — and examine whether the existing drainage infrastructure along the road needs to be upgraded before the road is redeveloped.During the recent spell of heavy rain, Sheetla Mata Mandir Road remained the most vulnerable spot for waterlogging with knee-deep rainwater, despite efforts to ensure the surface drain was clean before the monsoon.An official from the infra-2 division of GMDA said an agency will be engaged to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for augmentation of Leg-2 master drain. The proposal will examine the existing capacity of the drain, its ability to handle peak monsoon flows and the interventions required to improve drainage in the areas.The infra-2 division official said, “We are planning to augment the capacity of the drain and will hire a consultant to assess the feasibility and prepare a report. The tender process for appointing the consultant will be initiated shortly. The consultant will be tasked with examining the technical feasibility, challenges and whether the augmentation can be carried out within the available space along with the estimated amount.”The issue has assumed significance as the proposed road redevelopment and drain augmentation could overlap. In April this year, the infra-1 division of GMDA invited bids for the redevelopment of an around 3-km stretch connecting Atul Kataria Chowk to Sector 3 junction.Under this, the authority plans the strengthening of the existing road carriageway, improvement of surface drains, footpath and landscaping. However, the timeline for bids was extended thrice due to less participation from the agencies.The infra-1 division official said, “As of now, we have not put the tendering process for improvement of Sheetla Mata Road on hold, as the final decision is yet to be taken on the augmentation of the master drain. However, the call will be taken on whether the road and drainage work can be taken up simultaneously or otherwise as per the directions.”There is limited space available along Sheetla Mata Mandir Road, which is around 30 m wide, and any widening or additional construction of the master drain may require changes to the existing road profile.If the drain augmentation is approved, carrying out the road redevelopment first could result in portions of the newly developed road having to be disturbed later for drainage work.
