Poorly lit service roads haven for criminals

The city has many dark stretches, which pose a security threat to commuters. The poorly lit service lanes of the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway are not a case in isolation. Incidents of carjacking and snatching often take place in these stretches.

The city has many dark stretches, which pose a security threat to commuters. The poorly lit service lanes of the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway are not a case in isolation. Incidents of carjacking and snatching often take place in these stretches.

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The police data show that more than half-a-dozen carjacking cases have taken place on the expressway alone in the past eight months.

Service lanes of the expressway near Iffco Chowk, Signature Tower, Jharsa crossing and Rajiv Chowk are the worst affected.

A major part of these service lanes is not well lit up. Criminal gangs are active in the poorly lit service lanes.

Seven BPO employees, including two women, were severely injured after a speeding SUV rammed into their company cab in a service lane at the Sector 30 crossing on the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway on April 27. The driver of the BPO cab died on the spot.

In another incident on April 22, two persons on a bike were hit by a speeding truck at the same crossing.

To ensure safety of commuters, toll operator Delhi Gurgaon Super Connectivity Limited has put up a mirror at the crossing.

A spokesperson of the expressway operator, Delhi Gurgaon Super Connectivity Limited (DGSCL), said that the 40lux standard has been maintained on the entire stretch.

However, the three toll plazas on the expressway — at Sirhaul, Kherki Daula and near the IGI Airport have 100lux lighting.