Noida's Electronic City Metro Foot Overbridge Pillars Create Major Traffic Hazard After Road Widening
In a concerning development for Noida commuters, the pillars supporting a foot overbridge at the Electronic City metro station have become a significant traffic obstruction on Vishwakarma Road. Following recent road-widening work undertaken by the Noida Authority, these structural supports now stand directly in the middle of the carriageway, posing serious risks to motorists and creating severe congestion during peak hours.
From Footpath to Roadway: How Infrastructure Changes Created the Problem
The foot overbridge was originally constructed by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation in 2019 to facilitate safe pedestrian crossing for metro users. At the time of construction, the pillars were properly positioned along the roadside footpath, complying with urban design standards and ensuring pedestrian safety. However, recent months have seen increased traffic pressure in the area, prompting the Noida Authority to widen the left side of Vishwakarma Road to add an extra lane. This infrastructure improvement inadvertently placed the previously peripheral pillars directly in the path of vehicular traffic.
Commuters Voice Safety Concerns and Daily Challenges
Amit Gupta, a resident of Prateek Wisteria in Sector 77, highlighted that the pillars have been obstructing traffic for over six months. "I usually take this route to travel to Sector 62. In July last year, I wrote to DMRC informing them that the foot-over-bridge pillars were positioned in a way that significantly obstructed the carriageway of the main road," Gupta explained. "This location is already a high-traffic zone and the pillar further narrows the passage for vehicular movement, causing severe congestion during peak hours."
The situation presents particular dangers for the thousands of commuters who use this crucial stretch daily. A substantial number of vehicles travel from Noida sectors 59 and 60, as well as from the Noida Elevated Road towards Sector 62 and Ghaziabad's Indirapuram. Additionally, commuters using NH9 and Delhi-Meerut Expressway pass through this road, along with residents heading toward internal sectors in the neighborhood.
Gaurav Kumar, a regular commuter, described the navigation challenges: "Every day while crossing this stretch, vehicles suddenly slow down near the pillar, which increases the risk of accidents, especially during evening hours. For first-time commuters or those unfamiliar with the road, the pillar comes as a surprise and can be dangerous." The Electronic City metro station records approximately 39,000 daily commuters, many of whom utilize the overbridge to cross the road, making this a high-visibility safety concern.
Official Responses and Temporary Measures
When contacted about the issue, Krishna Karunesh, CEO of Noida Authority, confirmed that the matter was being investigated and would be rectified. As an interim safety measure, the authority has applied reflective tapes near the pillars and advised commuters to exercise caution while driving until a permanent solution is implemented.
Anuj Dayal, DMRC's principal executive director for corporate communications, provided historical context: "At the time of construction, the overbridge pillars were placed on the footpath adjoining the road, ensuring safe pedestrian movement and compliance with urban design standards. Due to the road widening works taken up by Noida Authority in this area, there is now a need to further shift the foot-over-bridge." Dayal clarified that DMRC has formally communicated to the Noida Authority that they have no objection to relocating the overbridge pillars, provided the work adheres strictly to DMRC's technical specifications and safety standards. The relocation would need to be executed entirely at the cost and responsibility of the Noida Authority without disrupting metro operations.
Precedent for Resolution: Sector 52 Case Study
This is not the first instance of such infrastructure coordination challenges in Noida. A similar situation occurred near the Sector 52 metro station, where an overbridge pillar was relocated in 2023 following reports. That overbridge had been constructed and opened in March 2019 for Delhi Metro commuters, but subsequent construction of an underpass beneath it in 2021 altered the road alignment above, leaving one pillar in the middle of the carriageway. The successful resolution of that case provides a precedent for addressing the current Electronic City station situation through coordinated action between DMRC and the Noida Authority.
The persistent placement of foot overbridge pillars in traffic lanes highlights the critical need for better coordination between different infrastructure agencies during urban development projects. As Noida continues to expand and upgrade its transportation networks, such coordination will be essential to ensure both pedestrian safety and smooth vehicular movement across the city's increasingly congested roadways.
