Five foot overbridges to come up on NH-44 in Sonepat district
To reduce accidental deaths on the national highway 44, especially of pedestrians, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has approved construction of five foot overbridges (FOBs) in Sonepat.
The district administration has fixed a target to reduce deaths in road accidents by 20 per cent in 2025.
To achieve this target, the administration along with the NHAI has decided to construct the FOBs on the NH-44 for pedestrians. The authorities said construction of these FOBs would begin soon.
Sources said a survey had been conducted and specific black points had been identified where hundreds of people cross the highway as industrial area had been developed on both sides of the NH-44.
As per data available, Sonepat district witnessed a decline in loss of lives in road mishaps in the last three years. In 2022, the district recorded 508 deaths, 407 in 2023 and 319 fatalities in 2024.
Deputy Commissioner Dr Manoj Kumar said, “The FOBs are the need of the hour as thousands of vehicles pass from this highway at high speed. Thus, it is very tough for pedestrians to cross the road.” “Five FOBs have got approval from the NHAI. Of these, three will be having lift facility. Design of these FOBs has also been finalised,” the DC said.
Jag Bhushan, Project Director, NHAI, said five FOBs had been approved for Sonepat.
He said two of these would be constructed in Kundli and one each in Rasoi, Bahalgarh and Murthal near Mahalakshmi Dhaba. The three FOBs—Kundli, Bahalgarh and Murthal—would feature lifts and stairs, he said. The designs and detailed project reports of these FOBs had been prepared, he said. The work on these FOBs would commence by the end of April, added Bhushan.
