Gurugram: In a city where eight people die each day on an average due to road mishaps, complaints about dearth of footpaths and foot over bridges (FOBs) are regular. However, even as FOBs are being set up on major roads of Gurugram, apathy over their maintenance is a major issue.
Incomplete FOBs, coupled with lack of maintenance of existing ones, has led to these structures being defaced by advertising posters and used to dump garbage.
Moreover, they have become a hub of drunkards and addicts to drink and consume of drugs in the open.
Already facing flak for slow construction of FOBs, the Gurugram administration is now being criticised for not maintaining safety and security on these structures.
FOB's at areas like Dundahera, Sikanderpur and Gurugram-Faridabad road are among the worst affected.
Moreover, during traffic jams, FOB's are exploited by two-wheeler riders to bypass jams.
In the past, the district authorities were forced to build FOBs by residents, as lives of pedestrians were being risked by movement of high-speed vehicles at the Gurugram-Faridabad road.
But now, residents are complaining about the poor maintenance and incomplete work of the same structures.
For a long time, protests by citizens have been organised in areas like HUDA City Centre and Golf Course Road, highlighting the non-availability of footpaths and FOBs.
"What is the use of making a world-class city, if it cannot take care of its pedestrians? There were tall claims made by the authorities earlier that facilities will be created for cyclists and walkers. Yet, there is no progress that has been made. There are just not enough footpaths and FOBs, and those which are there are in such a dilapidated state that no one wants to use them," said Sanchita Chawla, a city resident.