Newly upgraded Golf Course road fails to live up to expectations

Gurugram: The Gurugram residents can pride itself of being the pioneers of creating the concept of Rahhgiri a creative model for citizens not relying on their vehicles, a concept now being replicated in other cities. The city, however, cannot boast about being a city for its pedestrians. Encroachment and lack of maintenance of footpaths has been a major complaint by pedestrians.

In a new low to this trend, new tiles that have recently been put up on the Golf Course road area is beginning to break off. Most of these tiles have not even been three months old. For a major route that is now known for its world class construction of footpaths in the area is going off at a snail's pace. No proper deadline has been set that when the project of laying the footpaths will be set. Along with poor construction techniques, the footpaths of the Golf Course road have now become a favorite spot for the residents who frequent the commercial areas to park their vehicles illegally that is further worsening the situation.

Even as plans are being executed to widen the city roads, a large number of people are having a grouse that the authorities are not allotting space for city cyclists. Recently, Golf Course road, upgraded. Yet it is still to create dedicated tracks for cyclists and better facilities for the pedestrians.

With cyclists, pedestrians and commuters on two wheelers being the most vulnerable on city roads, there has been a demand that the roads in the modern city must also have space for the cyclists. The voices over the issue has again found resonance after the air pollution in the city has spiralled to hazardous levels owing to large number of vehicles on city roads. Moreover, the commuters continue to grapple in huge traffic jams even in the recently reconditioned roads.

On an average, there are eight deaths and 30 accidents occurring daily in Gurugram. "The planning by public and private authorities does need a complete overhaul and needs to encompass all forms of commuters. Unfortunately because of vested interests, it will never be followed. The civil society must continue to raise its voice with regards to development of facilities for cyclists and pedestrians," said Sarita Bhargava, a city resident.