The Delhi Government has set the ball rolling for the construction of Foot over Bridges (FOBs) and new ‘Skywalks’. Around 14 new FOBs and three skywalks will be constructed in the coming years.
The projects were finalised after the Delhi Traffic Police identified the busiest areas which are also accident prone and submitted the report to the Government. Also, the city will get two more flyovers in the East and North-East Delhi. The expected time for the completion of the estimated FOBs and the Skywalks is 2020.
Out of three skywalks, two will be constructed at Delhi Gate and Ajmeri Gate and the other one will be constructed in North-West Delhi’s from Pitampura Metro station to Rohini district court to decongest the Madhuban Chowk intersection on the Outer Ring Road. To facilitate the movement of pedestrians on the Netaji Subhash Marg (from Delhi Gate to Nukkar Faiz Bazar), a skywalk will be constructed at Nukkar Faiz Bazar.
The largest skywalk will be constructed at Ajmeri Gate Chowk which is considered as one of the most congested regions of the Delhi as there is a huge movement of pedestrians due to the establishment of New Delhi Railway Station and the nearby commercial markets. This upcoming skywalk will connect the five roads going to GB Road, Chawari Bazar, Asif Ali Road, Paharganj and the New Delhi Railway station.
The locations were identified by the Delhi Traffic Police under a mega decongestion project which was initiated by the Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal after the Supreme Court had asked the Delhi Traffic Police to find solutions for the traffic hindrances and how decongest the city roads.
“Under the decongestion project, the traffic engineering team has divided corridors in three categories A, B and C as per their importance. The skywalks, FOBs and the flyovers have been identified under the category ‘B’ and ‘C’. Further, it is upon the concerned agencies. However, the team is in touch of the authorities concerned,” said a senior traffic police officer.
However, the Delhi Department of Home which is heading the project said, “The concerned departments and authorities have submitted the tentative specific timings for the tasks. But, the final deadline has been issued to all and it has been told strictly that by December 31 everyone should submit the detailed project plan with starting date of the project.”
Further, the FOBs will be constructed at various locations as per their need which includes Karol Bagh metro station, Prashant Vihar near the elevated flyover on Outer Ring Road, near National Institute of Health and Family Welfare, Mahipalpur market. Chand Bagh colony and Bhajnpura petrol pump, Jagat Puri red light and Kapshera Border to facilitate movement of pedestrians going/coming from Gurugram in large numbers. An underpass will be constructed at Rithala Metro station.
Also, as per their documents, which is with The Pioneer, the existing FOB at Anand Vihar ISBT will also be extended on either side of ISBT Anand Vihar and Kaushambi.
Moreover, two more flyovers will be constructed in North East Delhi’s Mandoli red Light and Gangan cinema T point and to ease traffic congestion, prevent and reduce accidents and to cater future requirement once Signature Bridge becomes operational. Other flyover will be constructed in East Delhi’s Surya Nagar and Ram Prashtha traffic intersections to cater the requirement of Vivek Vihar, Surya Nagar and Ramprashtha Colony.
