Criminal case filed against builder of Delhi-Jaipur highway

A criminal complaint was filed on Tuesday against the company constructing the 225-km Delhi-Jaipur Expressway for putting commuters’ lives in danger and blocking emergency services.

Traffic on the highway remained affected for the second consecutive day after heavy rains damaged a sizeable portion of the stretch. There was a traffic snarl on the Delhi-Jaipur-Mumbai highway due to rain-inflicted damage to a portion near Naurangpur and Rampura, 45 km from Delhi.

For over 48 hours, vehicles were reduced to crawling pace, said a police officer. “The problem was big and the contractor company did not take it seriously. We have booked PCEPL officials for causing danger to commuters, blocking the way and putting emergency services on hold,” said assistant commissioner of police Ravinder Kumar Tomar.

While constructing the slip road (temporary road for diversion of traffic) on National Highway 8 on that stretch, the company used substandard material that could not bear the load of traffic during rains.

PCEPL general manager Vinod Batra said heavy and prolonged rains were not expected. “We are carrying out an internal inquiry too,” Batra said. Traffic woes may continue for another two days, he said.

Based on a complaint by a traffic policeman, the case against the Pink City Expressway Private Ltd was registered under the Indian Penal Code.

Police were forced to divert traffic going towards Jaipur-Mumbai through Sohna-Bhiwadi-Dharuhera and Pataudi-Rewari routes, but the situation remained grim.