Despite Metropolitan status, poor upkeep mars Faridabad cycle tracks

Acquiring metropolitan status and grants in crores seem to have failed to provide an adequate cycle track and footpath infrastructure in the city.

No dedicated track

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Cycling or walking on the roads here is risky as there is no dedicated track or passage despite crores having been spent on infrastructure. — Devender Singh, convener, Road Safety

City yet to have proper footpaths

Despite multiple civic agencies — including the Faridabad Municipal Corporation (MC), Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP), Faridabad Metropolitan Development Authority (FMDA) and Faridabad Smart City Limited — being functional, a majority of the roads of the city are yet to have a proper cycle track or footpath — a prime need for thousands of commuters.

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Despite multiple civic agencies — including the Faridabad Municipal Corporation (MC), Haryana Shahari Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP), Faridabad Metropolitan Development Authority (FMDA) and Faridabad Smart City Limited — being functional, a majority of the roads of the city are yet to have a proper cycle track or footpath — a prime need for thousands of commuters.

The concern has been addressed only in selected parts. The facility has come up on the 4-5 km stretch passing through Sectors 21, 28, 29 and the dividing roads of Sectors 11-12, 15 and 15-A so far despite being part of the Smart City project, according to officials.

Two tracks built at Rs 50 lakh by the HSVP and the FMDA in Sector 12 have gone out of use due to the absence of regulations and proper upkeep.

A drive by the MC to earmark passages for cyclists in the industrial areas got abandoned many years ago due to no clear-cut planning, said an official.

“Cycling or walking on the roads here is risky as there is no dedicated track or passage despite crores having been spent on infrastructure,” said Devender Singh, convener, NGO Road Safety, Haryana.

“Cyclists and the pedestrians have to use such roads, putting their life at risk,” said Vishnu Goel, a resident.

“Despite various projects, many facilities have been missing in all residential areas,” claimed Narender Sirohi, a resident.

Walking on such roads in the area is dangerous due to abundance of open manholes and drains, which remain invisible due to waterlogging, Sirohi added.

The death of a young engineer due to falling in a manhole about two years ago has failed to wake up the authorities.

The Human Rights Commission, Haryana, had ordered financial compensation of Rs 10 lakh with connection to the death of two persons, who died in an open manhole in 2016. FMDA Chief Engineer Ramesh Bagri said some cycle tracks and footpaths had been built in the

recent past.

The department would take up projects if sanctioned by the government. MC Executive Engineer Ombir Singh said such project is yet to be taken up by the authorities concerned.