GreNo- The Authority to build new FOBs

The Greater Noida Authority has finally taken on itself the onus of building foot over bridges, wherever required in the city. This decision has been taken by the CEO of the Authority, Narendra Bhushan after the companies did not take interest in making FOBs on the basis of build-operate-transfer (BOT). The CEO has given instructions to identify the places that require foot over bridges. He has asked to earmark space for new foot over bridges so that people do not have to cross the road on foot between speeding vehicles.

On the basis of the survey report of traffic consultant agency Rail India Technical and Economic Service [RITES], the authority has decided to build foot overbridges at three places. These three places are on Surajpur-Kasna road in front of the Collectorate, Near Jagat Farm, Ishaan Institute and opposite Kailash Hospital. Their tenders have been floated. It is estimated that about Rs 4.70 crore will be spent on the construction of these three FOBs.

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The construction of these FOBs will start soon, just as the authority selects which company will build it.

On the instructions of the CEO, General Manager Project AK Arora has issued an order to all the work circles and asked them to identify more such spots where FOB is needed after conducting a survey at the earliest. After deciding the places that require FOB, the authority will make them on its own. AK Arora said that all the FOBs will have the facility of lift/escalator keeping in mind the differently-abled, pregnant women and elderly people.

A resident of Hawelia Valencia Homes, Greater Noida West, Rahul Garg, says, “If I talk about Greater Noida West, then the requirement of foot overbridge is more at Gaur Chowk. I feel that Greater Noida West is the last priority for the Authority. I don’t know about the population in Greater Noida East but in the west, the population is increasing day by day. In peak hours, you can’t cross the roads. Hanuman  Murti Chowk, Ek murti chowk, along with the char murti chowk the need for FOB is high”.

On the new facilities on these FOBs like lift and escalator, Arun Sajwan, a differently-abled resident of Shri Radha Sky Garden, says, "A few years ago, I used foot overbridge but there was no lift. I had to climb stairs which was difficult for me. But then, if the lift will be there according what the Authority is saying, statement, then things will be easier."