Structural deficiencies, careless driving turn Gurugram underpasses into death traps

Gurugram: In terms of underpasses constructed to ensure free flow of traffic, Gurugram may be among the top cities in the county. However, traffic indiscipline and structural deficiencies have turned these engineering marvels into death traps for commuters.

As per official estimates, there have been already ten road mishaps at various underpasses this year, which have claimed six lives. In Rajiv Chowk underpass only, last week, two accidents claimed as many lives.

A shocking report suggests that the Rajiv Chowk and Signature Chowk underpass – the latter of which was opened six months ago – still do not have electricity supply from Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam and operate on diesel generator sets.

Moreover, the dim lighting in these underpasses makes driving a risky affair for lakhs of commuters, not only at night but even during the day.

To resolved these issues, Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) is going to take over maintenance of the underpasses from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

Official sources said that in the process of opening of the underpasses at the earliest, quality was compromised upon in some works. Officials, however, maintain that work is being carried out to solve these problems at the earliest.

In addition to these two underpasses, there have also been complaints that on many occasions the underpasses at Sikanderpur are either fully or poorly lit at night, which jeopardizes the safety of commuters.

If structural flaws are turning Gurugram's underpasses into travelling hazards, traffic indiscipline, on the other hand, on the part of commuters has also resulted in the loss of valuable lives.

The spate of deadly accidents at the Gurugram underpasses only highlights the problem of traffic mishaps in the district.

On May 6, a driver and the security guard of a private airline company died after an SUV that was being driver on the wrong side rammed into their car at Bristol Chowk underpass.

A woman pilot of the airline, who had accompanied to the men, also had sustained serious injuries in the accident.

To instill traffic discipline among citizens, Gurugram police has plans to install metal barriers and, if required, specify speed limits.