NHAI Initiates Major Redesign of Gurgaon Expressway Foot Overbridges
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced a significant design overhaul for foot overbridges along the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway. In a move aimed at enhancing pedestrian safety and infrastructure durability, conventional long ramps and escalators will be replaced with lift-based access systems and staircases.
Addressing Misuse and Maintenance Challenges
NHAI officials cited repeated instances of structural damage and vandalism as key drivers for this change. Ramps have frequently been misused by two-wheelers, compromising their integrity, while escalators have suffered from theft, vandalism, and poor upkeep, leading to widespread non-functionality. An NHAI official explained, "Ramps are frequently misused by two-wheelers, which damages the structure. Escalators, on the other hand, are prone to theft and vandalism. Maintenance becomes a recurring issue."
This decision comes after years of neglect, with many escalators at critical locations like IFFCO Chowk, Rajeev Chowk, and Signature Tower remaining inoperative. Commuters have been forced to climb steep staircases or risk crossing fast-moving traffic, highlighting urgent safety concerns.
Integration with Upcoming Infrastructure Projects
The redesign is closely tied to major infrastructure developments along NH8. Key foot overbridges at three major junctions will be dismantled to accommodate new projects:
- At IFFCO Chowk and Signature Tower, bridges will be removed for the construction of the proposed Delhi-Gurgaon-Bawal RRTS corridor by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC).
- At Rajeev Chowk, existing bridges will be taken down to build an interchange connecting the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway with the Sohna elevated corridor, aimed at easing congestion. This project will be undertaken by NHAI.
NCRTC has sought a no-objection certificate from NHAI for corridor work, and the footbridges will be reconstructed later with the revised lift-based design.
Maintenance Disputes and Safety Concerns
Maintenance responsibilities have been a point of contention between NHAI and the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA). NHAI, which constructed the pedestrian infrastructure, argued that the structures primarily serve local traffic and urged GMDA to take over upkeep. In 2024, NHAI wrote to the Haryana chief secretary seeking a transfer of maintenance duties, but GMDA declined, stating the structures fall within the national highway's purview.
In 2025, GMDA escalated the issue by writing to NHAI, flagging safety concerns and mounting public complaints, and sought urgent repairs. Despite these efforts, the infrastructure has remained largely inaccessible and poorly maintained over the past three years.
Expert Caution on Usability and Sustainability
Road safety experts have raised doubts about the effectiveness of replacing escalators with lifts. Anurag Kulshrestha, founder of road-safety NGO TRAX, cautioned, "Foot overbridges with ramps are not very successful. Climbing a structure that is almost the height of a two-storey building discourages usage. People are unlikely to walk 400–500 metres to access an FOB and then double back to reach their destination. That is simply not practical. Escalators and lifts are mechanical systems dependent on electricity. Their maintenance is a persistent challenge. If escalators are not functioning — as is the case at many locations on NH8 — replacing them with lifts will not automatically solve the problem. The maintenance burden remains the same."
Currently, around 30 escalators are installed at various foot overbridges along the expressway, many of which are non-functional. At IFFCO Chowk, apart from inoperative escalators, parts of the roof covering the bridge are missing, with similar conditions observed at Rajeev Chowk and Signature Tower.
The overhaul represents a critical step in addressing long-standing pedestrian safety issues on one of India's busiest highways, though its success will hinge on effective maintenance and user adoption.
