Gurgaon: The construction of footbridges at Sheetla Mata Mandir, Sector 14 market, and CD Chowk on Sohna Road has made little progress, with only foundations visible at the sites despite more than a year since work began. The delay has significantly affected commuters and residents who are forced to walk along the main carriageway, risking their safety.
Project Background and Delays
The projects, conceived in 2024 to improve pedestrian safety at busy crossings, have lost early momentum. The initial tender for four bridges was floated in June 2024 but had to be scrapped in July after bids were rejected during technical evaluation. It was retendered in August, and the project was eventually granted in December, with a completion timeline of 18 months. However, on the ground, work remains at a preliminary stage. At Sheetla Mata Mandir, the foundation has been laid and the area haphazardly barricaded, but no further construction has taken place. A similar scene is visible at Sector 14 market and CD Chowk, where work has not progressed beyond initial groundwork.
Impact on Commuters and Local Businesses
Commuters say the unfinished structures and barricades have made daily travel harder. With no functional footbridges, pedestrians are forced to walk on the main road and dodge fast-moving traffic. Shopkeepers in the area also report that the delay in construction has hurt their business. Ghanshyam Saini, a shopkeeper on Sheetla Mata Road, said, “There has been no work for the past four months. The shops are suffering because customers are unable to access them. At times, police restrict road crossing during heavy traffic, making it impossible for pedestrians to cross. There seems to be no proper planning.”
Aparna Gaur, a commuter in Sector 14, echoed Saini’s sentiments. “People are compelled to walk on the main road and cross through speeding vehicles, which is extremely risky. Any delay in such projects puts safety at stake. At this pace, it does not seem the work will be completed anytime soon,” she said.
GMDA's Response and Challenges
A senior GMDA official, however, said that civil works at the sites have largely been completed and fabrication is underway. “The only issue currently is the procurement of steel, as suppliers are facing disruptions due to the crisis in West Asia. Efforts are being made to address this, and the FOBs are expected to be completed by June-end,” the official said. The FOB planned at CD Chowk is part of a larger effort to improve pedestrian connectivity along the busy NH-248A corridor, particularly the stretch between Subhash Chowk and Vatika Chowk, which sees heavy footfall due to malls, offices, and residential clusters.
Earlier Proposals and Rejections
Originally, GMDA had proposed four footbridges, including another one near Raheja Mall on Sohna Road. However, NHAI rejected the proposal, citing space constraints, high utility shifting costs, and pedestrian safety concerns. At Sheetla Mata Mandir, too, the project saw delays due to site-related issues. After multiple meetings involving the temple trust, GMDA, MCG, and the district administration, the location of the FOB was shifted a few metres from the originally proposed site.
