Foot overbridges will now be constructed at five black spots located on the Kundli-Ganaur NH-44 in Sonipat. NHAI will begin work soon after receiving approval from the ministry. This decision, taken keeping in mind the safety of laborers and pedestrians, will prove crucial in preventing accidents and enhancing road safety.
Haryana: A significant step has been taken to prevent the continuous accidents occurring on the Kundli-Ganaur National Highway-44 in Sonipat. After a delay of eight months, the central ministry has approved the construction of foot overbridges (FOBs) at five black spots. Last December, NHAI and the police department identified these locations and sent a proposal. This decision was made in light of incidents where laborers and pedestrians lost their lives while crossing the highway. With the approval granted, NHAI will now commence construction work soon.
Green Light After Eight Months
Last December, NHAI and the police department jointly identified black spots on NH-44. It was decided in a road safety committee meeting that foot overbridges needed to be constructed at these locations for the safety of pedestrians. However, work could not begin due to the lack of approval from the ministry. The proposal remained pending for about eight months. Now, the construction of FOBs at these locations has been given the green light.
Locations Where Foot Overbridges Will Be Constructed
Pedestrian overhead bridges will be built at five key locations from Kundli to Ganaur. These include the section from Drain Number Eight to ESI Dispensary. The second will be built near Piau Maniyari in Kundli. The third overbridge will be constructed from Pahal Nutrition Center to Antil Auto Works, Bahalgarh, via the Exide Center. The fourth will cover the area from Chiranjeevi Hospital to Today Diaries Private Limited. The fifth will be from Gulshan Dhaba to Siddharth Punjabi Dhaba, Murthal. In addition, safety measures will also be implemented in the Madan Dhaba to Jhilmil Dhaba, Murthal area.
Why This Step Was Necessary
NH-44 is the busiest route from Delhi to Punjab and Jammu. Heavy vehicles and high-speed cars ply day and night on this highway passing through the Sonipat district. Meanwhile, laborers and locals cross the roads on foot. Accidents often occur due to collisions with trucks and cars. Last year, 20 black spots on GT Road were eliminated, but after some time, five new dangerous points emerged.
Accident Record
Looking at the statistics, a large number of people have died in accidents in recent years due to overspeeding and reckless driving. In 2017, there were 436 road accidents, in which 511 people lost their lives. In 2018, 483 deaths were recorded in 277 accidents. In 2019, the number of accidents decreased to 218, but 389 people died. In 2020, despite the lockdown, 487 people lost their lives in 174 accidents. In 2021, this figure increased again to 374 accidents and 537 deaths. In 2022, 390 people died in 385 accidents. In 2023, the number of accidents decreased, but there were 379 deaths. In 2024, from January to December, 253 people have died in 319 accidents. This year, from January to June, 179 people have died in accidents.
The Challan Figures Are Also Shocking
Continuous action is being taken against those who break the rules on NH-44. Thousands of challans have been issued for overspeeding from March to June. Fines were imposed on 6767 vehicle drivers in March, 3906 in April, 5534 in May, and 4956 in June. A large number of cases have also come to light for not wearing helmets and seatbelts. In addition, heavy challans have been issued to those driving under the influence of alcohol, talking on mobile phones, and driving in the wrong direction.
Focus Will Be on the Safety of Laborers
Thousands of laborers work in the industrial areas adjacent to the highway. They cross the road every day. Accidents often occur at night while returning from factories. Keeping this in mind, a foot overbridge had already been constructed in front of a large industrial area. Now, the ministry has approved construction at the remaining five locations as well. Work will begin soon to make these places safe.
NHAI officials have submitted the ATR (Action Taken Report) related to the approval in the previous meeting of the Road Safety Committee. Now the tender process for the construction work will be completed. The department claims that work will begin at these locations in the coming months. This will ensure the safety of pedestrians and is expected to reduce accidents on the highway.
