Gurgaon: The plan to construct a tabletop pedestrian crossing on Golf Course Road has been temporarily halted following a meeting chaired by GMDA CEO A Sreenivas with DLF officials on Thursday, in which the developer raised concerns that the proposed crossing could inadvertently promote jaywalking on the busy thoroughfare.
DLF, an official, expressed worries about the crossing potentially encouraging unsafe pedestrian behaviour and disrupting traffic flow on the busy road. "The high-traffic nature of Golf Course Road raises safety concerns. During the meeting, it was decided that a committee will be formed, which will examine the matter keeping in mind the safety of all road users," the official added.
Meanwhile, DLF declined to comment on the matter.
The metropolitan authority received instructions to construct the crossing from the district road safety committee in April, following a pedestrian fatality caused by speeding. On Oct 26, DLF interrupted GMDA's construction work, resulting in an incomplete crossing. After public criticism on social media, GMDA swiftly finished one section with appropriate markings. Work on the opposite carriageway remains suspended pending further decisions.
The current situation reveals ongoing challenges. Pedestrians continue to cross this section without proper infrastructure like foot overbridges (FOBs), resulting in frequent accidents. The area has become notably dangerous due to the lack of proper crossing facilities.
Locals and daily commuters said jaywalkers cross the 90m road despite risks. While a Rapid Metro station is 600m away, residents consider it impractical, particularly during summer. "The inconvenience forces pedestrians to take a risk and cross the 90m road at grade, rather than taking a detour of 1km just to move across the road," said Dileep, a security guard.
The road has experienced persistent speeding issues, with vehicles frequently exceeding 100 kmph, surpassing the prescribed limits of 60 kmph on surface roads and 50 kmph on underpasses. The La Lagune area has witnessed seven crashes, three deaths, and four serious injuries over three years, primarily due to speeding, compounded by insufficient signage and speed control measures.
"Treating Golf Course Road as an access-controlled corridor ignores realities of the urban landscape. Both sides of the road are lined with residential societies and commercial establishments, which see frequent pedestrian movement throughout the day. Restricting or neglecting pedestrian access in such a busy area can lead to unsafe road-crossing behaviours and higher accident risks. At-grade crossings, when well-designed, can offer a safe and direct path for pedestrians, reducing the risk of jaywalking and accidents. The key is to implement measures such as proper signage, traffic signals, and speed-calming features to ensure pedestrian safety without disrupting traffic flow," said Sarika Panda Bhatt, a road safety and mobility expert.