Three new foot overbridges (FOBs) are planned on the Delhi-Saharanpur-Dehradun Expressway in East Delhi, with a combined estimated cost of ₹12.8 crore. The bridges are intended to provide safer pedestrian crossings at busy locations along the expressway while allowing vehicular traffic to move without interruption.
Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Harsh Malhotra laid the foundation stones for two of the proposed FOBs on 23 September. One will be located at Km 5+100 near Geeta Colony and Gandhi Nagar, while the second is planned at Km 2+800 near Ramesh Park in Laxmi Nagar.
A third FOB has been approved at Km 10+800 near Bhajanpura and Garhi Mendu. The three locations are in areas with significant pedestrian movement, making dedicated crossing facilities necessary along the high-speed corridor.
FOBs To Include Lifts And Pedestrian Facilities
The proposed foot overbridges will include lift facilities along with stairways and other pedestrian infrastructure. The facilities are expected to improve access for commuters, local residents, workers and other pedestrians using the corridor.
The FOBs will separate pedestrian movement from vehicular traffic on the expressway. This arrangement is intended to provide designated crossing points while maintaining the movement of vehicles along the busy road.
The Geeta Colony and Gandhi Nagar location is particularly significant because the area is home to a major textile market and attracts substantial daily pedestrian movement. Providing a dedicated crossing at this location is expected to improve access between surrounding residential and commercial areas.
Additional Facilities Planned Along Expressway
The FOB projects are part of wider infrastructure works being undertaken along the Delhi section of the Delhi-Saharanpur-Dehradun Expressway.
Parking facilities are being developed beneath the elevated section of the corridor. The space is also being planned for public amenities, including electric vehicle charging stations and toilets.
Solar panels are being installed along the elevated section as part of efforts to use renewable energy for infrastructure requirements. These works are being undertaken alongside improvements aimed at better utilisation of the space below the elevated road.
Delhi-Dehradun Expressway Connects Delhi With Uttarakhand
The Delhi-Saharanpur-Dehradun Expressway, also known as National Highway 709B, connects Delhi with Dehradun through parts of Uttar Pradesh. The corridor passes through areas including Baghpat, Baraut, Muzaffarnagar, Shamli and Saharanpur before reaching Dehradun.
The expressway has been developed as an access-controlled corridor to improve connectivity between Delhi and Dehradun. The Delhi section includes elevated stretches passing through densely populated areas of East Delhi.
With the addition of the three FOBs, pedestrian infrastructure along the Delhi section will be expanded at key crossing points. The projects will provide dedicated facilities for pedestrians while keeping crossings separate from expressway traffic.
The three bridges at Geeta Colony/Gandhi Nagar, Ramesh Park-Laxmi Nagar and Bhajanpura-Garhi Mendu are expected to add to the pedestrian safety infrastructure along the corridor. The ₹12.8 crore investment covers the construction of all three foot overbridges.
