What good is a footpath you can’t use, or are afraid to? For Dwarka residents, walking on footpaths is not a convenient option. The sub-city has always had the problem of sinking footpaths. The phenomenon has become commonplace now as almost all the master plan roads across Dwarka have footpaths built over drains.
According to residents, the footpaths along Master Plan road numbers 201, 205 and 202 have been in a sorry state for 2-3 years. The stretches from Dwarka mor to Police Chowki, Sector 3, and from Netaji Subhash Apartments in Sector 13 to Sector 12/13/3/4 Chowk need special attention.
Mahesh Gupta, general secretary of RWA, DDA SFS, said, “Sinking of footpaths above wide drains can lead to fatal accidents. The fact that the drains are quite deep, has added to the fear among residents. Almost all the master plan roads across the sub-city have such footpaths. A few months ago, a footpath near our pocket, and another near the Sector 4 market bus stand were repaired.”
The DDA appointed a consultant and has repaired some areas but people want a permanent solution to the problem. The issue is especially alarming on the Master Plan Road Number 201, as footpaths have caved in on both sides of the road.
“The condition of footpaths has deteriorated from Sector 13/14/3 signal towards 12/13/3/4 signal. At night, these stretches are difficult to see, thereby posing a threat to pedestrians. DDA keeps repairing certain damaged portions but the footpath caves in some other stretch. It seems that the whole kilometre-long stretch needs to be reconstructed,” said Madhury Varshneya, a social activist living in Sector 3.
RK Sharma, a resident of Sector 19, said, “The footpath along Master Plan Road 205 sunk just in front of Akshardham Apartments in Sector 19, thrice in the past year. A new damaged portion can be seen in front of the DDA park adjacent to Akshardham Apartments. Even though another such portion was repaired in front of the society, the phenomenon occurs quite frequently. People are scared to walk on the footpaths along the master plan roads.”
