By Chandan Singh | Page 3 News Worldwide | New Delhi
New Delhi, September 23: Delhi BJP President and Minister of State for Corporate Affairs and Road Transport and Highways Shri Harsh Malhotra on Wednesday laid the foundation stones for two Foot Over Bridges (FOBs) on the Delhi-Saharanpur-Dehradun Expressway (NH-709B) in East Delhi, with the facilities aimed at improving pedestrian safety, accessibility and mobility.
The two FOBs will come up at Geeta Colony/Gandhi Nagar (Km 5+100) and Ramesh Park, Laxmi Nagar (Km 2+800). Both structures will be equipped with lift facilities to provide pedestrians with safer and more convenient crossings across the busy expressway corridor.
The programme was attended by Gandhi Nagar MLA and Chairman of the Trans Yamuna Development Board Shri Arvinder Singh Lovely, Laxmi Nagar MLA and Chief Whip of the Delhi Legislative Assembly Shri Abhay Verma, Krishna Nagar MLA Dr Anil Goyal, OBC Morcha State President Shri Santosh Pal, local councillors Shri Sandeep Kapoor and other prominent citizens.
Malhotra said the initiative reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of modern, citizen-centric infrastructure aimed at improving ease of living and safer mobility. He also highlighted the rapid development of modern expressways, high-capacity road corridors and road-safety infrastructure under the leadership of the Prime Minister and the guidance of Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari.
According to Malhotra, the Delhi section of the expressway passes through densely populated areas and connects major residential, commercial and local movement corridors, making dedicated pedestrian infrastructure particularly important.
The lift-equipped FOBs are expected to provide safer crossings while reducing interaction between pedestrians and vehicles and allowing smoother vehicular movement on the expressway. The lift facilities will also improve accessibility for senior citizens, persons with mobility challenges, students, workers and other pedestrians.
A third FOB has also been approved near Bhajanpura, Garhi Mendu, at Km 10+800. The combined cost of the three FOBs has been estimated at ₹12.8 crore.
Malhotra further said that parking facilities beneath the elevated portion of the Delhi section of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway have already been started, while a comprehensive beautification plan for the Delhi stretch of NH-709B Phase-I is under progress.
The space beneath the elevated corridor is being planned for optimal utilisation, including improved parking management and public amenities such as EV charging facilities and toilets. These measures are also aimed at supporting traffic decongestion and improving the overall appearance of the corridor for residents, traders and daily commuters.
The minister also highlighted the installation of solar panels along the elevated stretch of the Delhi section of the Delhi-Saharanpur-Dehradun Highway. The initiative is intended to promote renewable energy for highway-related requirements, reduce dependence on conventional power sources and contribute to lowering carbon emissions.
Malhotra said the pedestrian crossings at Geeta Colony, Gandhi Nagar and Laxmi Nagar, along with the upcoming FOB near Bhajanpura-Garhi Mendu and renewable-energy measures along the elevated corridor, represent efforts to address infrastructure requirements in East Delhi and advance the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.
