News: Pedestrian-friendly plan for 106 junctions in Gurugram-07-09-2021
GURUGRAM: The Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) has shortlisted at least 106 junctions in the city for changes that will make them safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists, said officials on Monday. These measures, officials expect, will also help in better traffic management.
The changes under GMDA’s consideration include the creation of zebra crossings, painting lane and median markers, and setting up traffic bollards where required. The matter was brought up for discussion during a recent meeting of the core planning cell (CPC) of the GMDA.
According to officials privy to the matter, GMDA chief executive officer (CEO) Sudhir Rajpal has directed the mobility wing to take up such changes at around 40 crossings in the first phase on priority, following which the same can be replicated at other junctions in the city as well.
“Currently, the plan is under consideration and is awaiting approval. It entails taking some minor road safety measures at the junctions,” said a senior GMDA official on request of anonymity.
This plan is the latest in a slew of measures being undertaken by the authority to improve mobility in the city and make travelling and commuting both smoother and safer.
Besides executing such minor changes, the GMDA is also considering compacting various junctions and intersections across the city, such as Bakhtawar Chowk and junctions near the GMDA office, to safeguard pedestrians and cyclists and provide them with amenities to cross from one end to the other seamlessly.
Recently, GMDA has been executing engineering changes along various stretches in the city as well. It has floated tenders to fix key stretches such as Saint Felipe Marg, Vikas Marg near Sector 49, an 11-kilometre road between Dhankot Chowk and Delhi/Haryana border, and a two-kilometre stretch running through Udyog Vihar that provides connectivity between Sirhaul toll and Kapashera border.
Residents, meanwhile, said such a plan will bring much-needed relief in a city that they claimed has little infrastructure to support pedestrians or non-motorised transport.
“I chose to rent a house in Phase 5 over any other part of the city because I believed everything markets, malls and the metro would be accessible. However, the lack of facilities for pedestrians makes it impossible for me to move without a motorised vehicle, whether public or private. Even if my destination is only fifteen minutes away, I opt to use a vehicle just because it can be so dangerous to walk. If they employ safety measures at critical junctions and people abide by them, it would be a huge relief to pedestrians and would also reduce issues for motorists,” said Nirmal Bakshi, DLF Phase 5 resident.
