New Delhi, 10 July (H.S.): Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday wrote to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, urging him to declare Mandi Road in South Delhi a National Highway and entrust its development to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

In her letter, the Chief Minister stated that the approximately 8.8-kilometre-long Mandi Road is a strategically significant road corridor in the Delhi-NCR region. It connects the Mehrauli-Gurugram Road (NH-148A) near Chhatarpur Metro Station with the Gurugram-Faridabad Road at the Delhi-Haryana border. She said the corridor serves as a vital transport link between the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the neighbouring economic hubs of Gurugram and Faridabad, playing a crucial role in facilitating seamless inter-state traffic movement.

Gupta also noted in her letter that the Governing Body of the Unified Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure (Planning and Engineering) Centre (UTTIPEC), during its 68th meeting held on September 27, 2023, had recognised the strategic importance of Mandi Road and endorsed a proposal for its widening and comprehensive development.

She said that, considering the road's strategic significance, present and future traffic demand, and its direct connectivity with National Highway-148A, the proposal to bring Mandi Road under the jurisdiction of the NHAI deserves serious consideration.

The Chief Minister requested the Union Minister to declare Mandi Road a National Highway and assign its development to the NHAI so that an integrated development plan can be prepared, uniform engineering standards can be adopted, and the timely upgradation of this important corridor can be ensured.

She said the initiative would significantly improve travel convenience and traffic flow for thousands of daily commuters using the route. It would also strengthen connectivity across the Delhi-NCR region and provide fresh momentum to regional economic development.

Gupta urged Union Minister Gadkari to give the proposal favourable consideration and expressed hope for his continued support in taking the matter forward.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar