The Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) is planning the construction of 21 new foot over bridges (FOB) across the capital city, especially at critical locations prone to accidents, said officials on Tuesday.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta last month also discussed the matter in a review meeting with the PWD officials. A senior PWD departmental official said that they have received a list of 21 locations from the Delhi traffic police for the construction of new foot overbridges.

“It has been mentioned why there is a need for new pedestrian infrastructure in these locations… Considering the proposal, the PWD has started a ground survey of these locations. Once completed, a proposal will be made and tenders floated for the construction of the FOB,” said the officials

Accident-Prone Areas

These 21 locations include stretches where accidents have taken place due to a lack of safe forest crossing, such as the stretch from Karkardooma Court red light to Vivek Vihar underpass. Another Location under proposal is at the IT Park turn. Of these probable 21 locations, some stretches fall under agencies like the Delhi Development Authority and the National Highways Authority of India. Some locations also have metro projects going on. 

The PWD will either develop the FOB along with the department concerned, or the department will provide funds to the PWD to build the FOB,” the PWD department official added.

As per a study conducted by the planning department in 2018, a total of 70 FOBs existed in Delhi at that time, out of which 77% lacked lifts while only 23% had an escalator. Around 70% did not have a security guard. The study also highlighted that many foot over bridges had too many staircases. According to officials, there are a total of 115 FOBs currently in Delhi.