Haryana's First Smart Road Planned in Charkhi Dadri: 5 km, ₹32.26 Crore

The news

Haryana’s first smart road is planned in Charkhi Dadri, a 5 km stretch that will include free Wi-Fi, a public announcement system with music, and high-definition CCTV cameras linked to a control room. The urban local body will build the road at an estimated cost of ₹32.26 crore, officials said.

The road will have underground utility ducts on both sides to carry electricity wires, telecom cables and water pipelines, with space reserved for a future liquefied petroleum gas pipeline. The ducts are intended to prevent repeated road excavation for repairs or new connections. Reflective thermoplastic paint on lane markings and pedestrian crossings is expected to improve night-time visibility. Decorative poles with LED lights will replace standard electricity poles along the route. The smart market public announcement system will cover the stretch from the railway station to Parshuram Chowk and Kath Mandi.

What is the Smart Cities Mission and when did it begin?

The Smart Cities Mission was launched by the Government of India on 25 June 2015 to promote cities that provide core infrastructure, a clean and sustainable environment, and a decent quality of life through smart solutions. Faridabad and Karnal were the two cities from Haryana selected in the initial rounds of the mission. The mission is operated as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. The legal framework for urban local bodies, which will execute the Charkhi Dadri project, is provided by the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992, which added Part IXA to the Constitution and established municipalities as institutions of self-government.

What is the background of the smart road project?

Haryana’s smart city project began in 2016 with an initial focus on larger cities and an aim to develop smart roads and markets, but no road was built then. In 2024, the state government issued orders to extend the approach to smaller cities by identifying one road and one market in each city. Charkhi Dadri’s road budget was the first to be approved.

What features are planned and what do they aim to achieve?

Common underground ducts are designed to reduce repeated road excavation when utility lines need repair or expansion. Reflective markings and pedestrian crossings can improve road-user visibility at night. Connected cameras and a public announcement system can support monitoring and emergency communication. Planned roadside parking and underground drainage address traffic management and urban services. Free Wi-Fi is planned along the entire 5 km route.

What is the next step for the project?

Implementation should coordinate road construction with electricity, telecommunications, water and drainage works so that ducts remain accessible for maintenance. Clear pedestrian crossings, functioning lights and camera oversight will require continuing upkeep. The project remains planned; its benefits depend on construction, operational readiness and long-term management.