CAG notes discrepancies in Dwarka Expressway approval

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has flagged several concerns in the construction of the 29 kilometre Dwarka expressway that is envisioned to connect Delhi to Gurgaon. It questioned why the 8 lane expressway would have to be at an elevation throughout its length when the construction of underpasses and flyovers would be a more cost effective option. It is also pointed out that a detailed project report was not submitted which is a necessary factor for the approval process. 

  “Audit observed that up to 70-75 metre right of way was required to build a 14-lane national highway at grade. However, for no reasons on record, the project in Haryana region, where its length was 19 km, was planned with eight-lane elevated main carriageway and six lanes at grade road, when NHAI already had 90 m right of way and the same was sufficient for building 14 lanes at grade. Due to such massive structures, this project, constructed on EPC [Engineering, Procurement, and Construction] mode, for a length of 29.06 km had sanctioned civil construction cost of Rs 7,287.29 crore i.e Rs 250.77 crore/km as against per-km civil construction cost of Rs 18.20 crore approved by CCEA” the report stated.