Gurugram: Bollards discarded by NHAI block pedestrian passage

Gurugram Thousands of bollards, which were replaced with crash barriers on Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in February,

Gurugram Thousands of bollards, which were replaced with crash barriers on Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in February, are lying unused on the pavement of the service lanes between Rajiv Chowk and Narsinghpur, blocking the passage of pedestrians.

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The NHAI had replaced a total of 10,000 bollards between Sirhaul and Kherki Daula toll plaza. Officials said that they were given to the district forest department last month, for installation in the parks.

A senior NHAI official who is familiar with the matter said, “We know that the bollards are lying on the expressway and they will be removed soon. The number of bollards on the expressway cannot be ascertained as a large quantity has already been picked up by the company that was given the contract to reinstall crash barriers. Recently, the forest department had asked if they can take the bollards and reinstall it in their parks. So, we have given it to them and they will pick it up soon.”

The bollards are lying on the footpath of the expressway and have left no space for pedestrians. The bollard replacement project was carried out alongside a series of small projects, which also includes the construction of a pedestrian bridge at Khandsa and a few bus stands, at a cost of ₹16 crores.

Pedestrians said that bollards are dangerous and should be removed immediately. Nitika Puri, a resident of Sector 54, said, “We have no place on the footpath to walk, thanks to the bollards on the road. They should be removed immediately. Otherwise, a major accident is waiting to happen.”

Bollards were installed by the NHAI on the expressway in 2008. Col (retd) Subhash Yadav, general manager of the expressway operator, Skylark, said, “Bollards were placed all along the expressway to prevent vehicles from falling in the drain. Over the years, the bollards broke, leading to gaps through which animals, cyclists and cars often fell in the drain. Moreover, if an animal would fall in the drain, it would be the responsibility of the NHAI to rescue them, as the MCG would put up their hands.”

Experts said crash barriers are the right solution, as bollards have become outdated. Dr S Velmurugan, head (traffic engineering and safety), Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), said, “Having crash barriers instead of bollards is right as the barriers handle the impact of a car better, leading to less damage.”

Forest officials did not respond to requests for comment, despite repeated attempts.