The Dwarka Expressway project, conceived under the Bharatmala Pariyojana phase-1 to alleviate congestion on NH-48 between Delhi and Gurugram, has been completed at an exorbitant per kilometer cost of ₹250.77 crore, a staggering 14 times higher than the approved cost of ₹18.20 crore per kilometer sanctioned by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in 2017, as revealed by a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report.
The Expressway was envisioned as a 14-lane national highway running parallel to NH-48, aimed at reducing congestion between Delhi and Gurugram.
The CAG report pointed out that the high cost could be attributed to the decision to develop the Dwarka Expressway as an eight-lane elevated corridor with minimal entry and exit arrangements to facilitate the smooth flow of inter-state traffic.
However, the CAG found no justifiable reason to opt for eight elevated lanes for an average daily traffic of 55,432 passenger vehicles when only six at-grade lanes were planned for an average annual daily traffic of 2,32,959 passenger vehicles.
The CAG report unveiled broader discrepancies within the Bharatmala Pariyojana, stating that across India, the sanctioned cost for 26,316 km of project length was 58% higher than the approved cost. Of the approved 34,800 km length, only 13,499 km of national highways have been completed, amounting to 38.79% of the approved length by March 31, 2023, inclusive of construction during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The report highlighted that the change in project scope, increased project specifications, and deviations from approved appraisal and approval mechanisms contributed to cost escalation.
These alterations led to an increase of ₹10 crore per kilometer in construction costs.
The diversion of funds and lapses in adhering to environmental clearances and safety consultants further compounded the issues.
However, the report did note an improvement in the pace of construction under Bharatmala Pariyojana, with project length constructed per day increasing from 1.04 km in 2018-19 to 12.37 km in 2022-23. Simultaneously, another CAG report on the same day highlighted toll rule violations in South India, resulting in an unjust burden of ₹154 crores on road users.
The non-implementation of NH Fee Amendment Rules 2013 led to continued user fee collection during the delayed construction period at specific toll plazas, despite the amended rule stating no user fee during such periods.
