Gurgaon Residents Sound Alarm Over Road Safety During Foggy Conditions
People living near Southern Peripheral Road and Golf Course Road Extension in Gurgaon are voicing serious safety concerns. Dense winter fog combined with poor road infrastructure is creating hazardous driving conditions. Many streetlights along these important routes remain dark at night.
Missing Safety Features Create Nighttime Dangers
Local residents report that essential road safety elements have disappeared or deteriorated. Lane dividers show significant fading. Zebra crossings are barely visible. Reflective paint on medians has worn away completely in many sections. These deficiencies make nighttime navigation particularly treacherous.
"Drivers must guess where lanes begin and end," explained Shashi Kumar, who lives in a high-rise society along Golf Course Extension Road. "With non-working streetlights and invisible lane markings, every journey feels risky. We fear a major accident is inevitable."
Recent Road Projects Show Implementation Gaps
Authorities completed Golf Course Extension Road in July 2024 with substantial investment. The project cost approximately Rs 7.4 crore and included provisions for safety equipment. However, residents observe critical shortcomings in execution.
- Thermoplastic lane markings remain absent at multiple locations
- Properly painted dividers are missing
- Reflective elements like cat eyes and road studs appear inadequate
Similar issues affect Southern Peripheral Road, where an Rs 8 crore project was awarded last year. While the scope included road signage and crossings, Resident Welfare Associations question the quality of installed materials.
"Whatever markings they applied have faded unusually fast," noted a sector RWA member. "During foggy nights, the road becomes exceptionally dangerous for everyone."
Safety Concerns Extend Beyond Two Major Roads
The problem reaches further across Gurgaon's developing sectors. Residents from Sectors 101 to 104 report non-functional streetlights on the main connecting road to Dwarka Expressway. These lights have remained dark for several months, raising dual concerns about accident risks and criminal activity.
In Sector 57, Resident Welfare Associations have formally complained to civic authorities. They describe large stretches that plunge into darkness after sunset due to faulty or completely missing lighting installations.
Residents Call for Sustained Maintenance Focus
Local communities emphasize that significant spending on road development loses meaning without proper upkeep. An RWA office-bearer highlighted this disconnect, stating, "Execution without maintenance defeats the entire purpose of such projects. We cannot compromise on safety, especially during winter when fog regularly reduces visibility."
Residents experience frequent near-miss incidents during early morning and late evening hours. These periods coincide with peak fog conditions that severely restrict driver visibility.
Officials Promise Inspection and Corrective Measures
Responding to mounting complaints, Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority officials have committed to action. They announced plans to inspect both Southern Peripheral Road and Golf Course Extension Road thoroughly.
"We will examine all reported issues," officials stated. "If we confirm non-functional streetlights or missing safety equipment, we will assign responsibility and initiate corrective measures promptly. Public safety remains our priority."
The situation underscores growing frustration among Gurgaon residents who expect basic safety infrastructure on newly developed roads. As winter continues, they await tangible improvements that will make their daily commutes safer during challenging weather conditions.
