Gurgaon's Roads Pose Grave Danger with Open Pits, Exposed Rods
Daily commuting in Gurgaon has become a perilous endeavor for motorists and pedestrians alike, as civic authorities appear to have learned little from recent tragedies in Delhi's Janakpuri and Noida, where open pits claimed young lives. The city's thoroughfares are now littered with unbarricaded drains, exposed manholes, and dangerous iron rods protruding from incomplete structures, creating a landscape of constant risk.
Critical Roads Transformed into Danger Zones
Major arteries across Gurgaon, including MG Road, Galleria Market, and Sector 69, are dotted with deep, unguarded pits—some filled with murky water—and lack essential warning signage. Rajeev Sinha, president of Essel Tower RWA, highlighted the compounding dangers: "In trying to avoid one obstruction, people often end up hitting another," he told TOI, referencing a half-constructed drain that exemplifies the haphazard infrastructure work.
On MG Road, ongoing drain construction has left extensive sections of the roadside excavated, with deep pits exposed and iron rods jutting out dangerously. Given the heavy traffic flow and numerous potholes marring the stretch, commuters warn that even a momentary lapse in attention could trigger a serious accident. Sinha elaborated on the specific hazards at his society's entrance: "Right at the entrance, there is an open pit posing a serious risk of a major mishap. It is extremely dangerous, especially for two-wheelers and pedestrians. The half-constructed drain is an open invitation to accidents. At night, visibility is poor and there are hardly any reflective boards or caution signs. There was no planning, and execution was done in a shoddy manner."
Multiple Hazard Points Across the City
The road leading to Galleria Market features several drain covers that are either open or loosely fitted, while near a liquor shop in Sector 70, an under-construction drain has left a gaping pit perilously close to the roadside. With no barricading or clear warnings, this spot becomes particularly hazardous after dark. Residents report that the pit remained exposed for days without any visible effort to secure it properly.
In Sector 69, a pit from drain work is filled with stagnant sewage water, masking its true depth and creating a deceptive hazard. Yugul Kishore Dwivedi, a local resident, expressed frustration: "It may look like just a puddle, but you don't know how deep it is. The junction is already in bad condition, and motorists could easily skid and fall. We fail to understand why they don't take proactive measures and only act when incidents happen."
Safety Norms Ignored, Inadequate Measures Implemented
According to established safety protocols, construction sites must be adequately barricaded, illuminated, and marked with cautionary signage to prevent accidents. However, across numerous parts of Gurgaon, these essential measures are either absent or insufficient, placing public safety in jeopardy.
Along Umang Bhardwaj Chowk and Hero Honda Chowk, fencing has been installed on portions of the under-construction drain, but instead of solid barricades, barbed wire was used in some areas. This stretch is part of redevelopment work undertaken by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). While intended to restrict access, residents argue that barbed wire introduces an additional injury risk in the event of a fall or collision. When questioned about the barbed wire fencing, NHAI attributed the decision to the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG).
A GMDA official stated that appropriate barricading and other precautionary measures are being implemented, with teams conducting inspections and taking actions, noting that manhole construction works are currently underway. Despite these assurances, the persistent hazards on Gurgaon's roads underscore a critical gap between policy and practice, leaving commuters to navigate a daily obstacle course fraught with danger.
