Gurgaon: Walking along Sushil Aima Marg, which connects Old Delhi-Gurgaon Road with Rezang La Chowk, has become increasingly unsafe for pedestrians, with large stretches of the pavement broken, uneven, or partially collapsed.
The footpath, meant to provide a safe walking corridor, is now barely usable, forcing pedestrians to step onto the main road alongside moving traffic.Residents said the condition of the pavement deteriorated as the Leg-1 drain running alongside it weakened over time. In some places, portions of the footpath have caved in near the drain. Loose bricks, broken tiles, and construction debris are scattered across the stretch, while garbage piles have also accumulated along the side. Stray cattle and dogs frequently use the damaged stretch, adding to the challenges faced by pedestrians.“The pavement is not serving its purpose at all. Sections near the drain have collapsed, and the surface has become unsafe,” said a resident of Sector 22, Sumit Nain.Apart from structural damage, residents pointed to encroachments and repeated digging work along the pavement that have further reduced walking space. The uneven surface makes it difficult for elderly people, children, and those with mobility issues to move safely.Residents also flagged the lack of consistent maintenance. “The attitude of civic authorities towards pedestrians is the most discouraging. Everywhere, encroachment is allowed. Agencies do not appear sufficiently focused on pedestrian safety in Gurgaon,” said vice-president of Sector 23 RWA, Bhawani Shankar Tripathy.In addition, fallen tree branches remain unattended in several spots. Residents said this not only reduces the already limited walking space but also affects hygiene.Responding to the concerns, a GMDA official said the authority’s enforcement wing regularly conducts anti-encroachment drives to reclaim public spaces. He added that a new master drain will be constructed at the site soon, following which the existing footpath will be removed and rebuilt to ensure pedestrian safety.
