Five foot overbridges to be built on NH-44 to check pedestrian fatalities

In a bid to reduce pedestrian fatalities on National Highway 44 (NH-44), the district administrations of Sonepat and Panipat, in collaboration with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), have approved the construction of five foot overbridges (FOBs). The construction is expected to begin by April, with plans to build three more FOBs under discussion.

Sonepat has set an ambitious target of reducing road accident deaths by 20% in the current calendar year. The district reported a decline in road mishap fatalities over the past three years, with 319 deaths in 2024 compared to 407 in 2023 and 508 in 2022. Panipat, however, saw an increase, recording 308 deaths in 2024 compared to 282 in 2023.

After analysing accident data through the Integrated Road Accident Database (iRAD) system, the administration identified black spots on NH-44 where most accidents occurred. A survey revealed that many fatalities involved pedestrians crossing the highway. Thousands of labourers employed in the industrial zones of Kundli, Rai, Murthal, Barhi and Panipat cross NH-44 daily, putting their lives at risk.

The NHAI plans to construct FOBs at Singhu Border, Kundli, Murthal, Haldana Border and Panipat. According to Dr Manoj Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of Sonepat, the increasing number and speed of vehicles on NH-44 have made crossing the highway extremely dangerous. “We have proposed eight FOBs on NH-44, of which five have been approved. The remaining three are under discussion,” he said.

Jagbhushan, Project Director, NHAI, said the approved FOBs would include lift facilities at Kundli and Murthal, while stairs and ramps would be provided at the others. “The design process is underway and construction is expected to begin by April,” he added.