"Gurgaon to Receive 10 Footbridges, Including 4 on Sohna Road"

The Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) has unveiled an ambitious plan to erect ten foot overbridges (FOBs) across the city, with the aim of bolstering road safety and pedestrian mobility.

Among these FOBs, four are slated for construction on Sohna Road, strategically located near prominent landmarks such as the Raheja Mall, Ninex Mall, Omaxe Mall, and Islampur, areas that experience substantial pedestrian traffic. The remaining six FOBs will be situated near Fortis Hospital, Medanta Hospital, Sahara Mall on MG Road, Sheetla Mata Mandir, the Sector 14 market, and Maruti Udyog on the Old Delhi Road, all chosen to mitigate accidents and hazards involving pedestrians.

R.D. Singhal, General Manager of the Mobility Division at GMDA, highlighted the importance of these FOBs in areas with high-density pedestrian movement. A comprehensive survey will be conducted, considering various factors such as traffic volume and other requisite parameters. Subsequently, detailed project reports (DPRs) will be prepared to ensure the maximum utility of the FOBs.

The construction of these FOBs will be carried out under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model. Under this model, a private entity will be responsible for financing, designing, constructing, and operating the projects under the supervision of GMDA.

Following the survey, the tenders for the project will be floated, and the BOT model is deemed the preferred approach for execution. GMDA is also exploring responses from other authorities that have adopted this model for various civic projects.

The urgency for such infrastructure is underpinned by the stark statistics shared by city police, revealing that every third road accident fatality in Gurugram is a pedestrian. Till August of the current year, 104 individuals lost their lives due to the absence of adequate pedestrian infrastructure. In 2022, 138 fatalities were recorded, and in 2021, the number stood at 118.

Experts in the field emphasize the significance of pedestrian bridges equipped with ramps and elevators, particularly for mid-block crossings along highways. These structures offer a secure means for individuals to navigate busy roadways. Additionally, while FOBs are vital, authorities should also focus on strategically placed traffic lights, as some pedestrians prefer this mode of crossing roads.

Sarika Panda Bhatt, a road safety and mobility expert, stressed the context-specific nature of the choice between pedestrian bridges and ground-level traffic management measures. The aim is to prioritize the safety and efficiency of both pedestrians and motorists, whether they are navigating high-speed highways or bustling city streets, ensuring a smooth flow of traffic while reducing accidents.

ET