The Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) has initiated the process of inviting bids for the restoration and enhancement of sidewalks along six crucial thoroughfares within the city. This endeavour, projected to span the forthcoming six to nine months, aims to facilitate the safe and comfortable commuting of pedestrians along urban roads, according to officials familiar with the situation.

GMDA authorities have delineated their plan to cover an estimated distance of around 12 kilometers along sector-partitioned roads within sectors 32/39, 52/57, 33/34, 24/27, 51/57, and 49/50. These roads experience significant vehicular traffic, and the enhancement of footpaths is anticipated to offer substantial advantages to daily commuters.

The historical issue of inadequate, deteriorated, and encroached-upon sidewalks has been an enduring challenge within the city. This has particularly affected inhabitants of the majority of HSVP sectors as well as private residential areas, making pedestrian movement challenging. Foot travellers often share limited space with motorised vehicles on the roadways.

RK Mittal, the executive engineer of GMDA's mobility division, which is responsible for overseeing these initiatives, stated, "The plan entails repairing, surfacing, and tiling the footpaths. Additionally, the inclusion of ramps will cater to differently-abled individuals, ensuring their access to these pathways. We have initiated two distinct tender processes, with the comprehensive improvements scheduled for completion within the ensuing six to nine months."

Mittal further emphasised that the central objective is to render the footpaths more user-friendly and secure. The rehabilitation and revamping of sidewalks on both sides of the roads are on the agenda, encompassing roads averaging 1.5 to 2 kilometres in length.

According to the official tender documents issued by the authority, the anticipated expenses for these initiatives are estimated to be Rs 37.4 million.

Meanwhile, local residents have expressed the view that GMDA should seek input and feedback from resident welfare associations (RWA) and inhabitants while devising and executing these enhancements.

Simultaneously, experts specialising in road transportation and engineering have highlighted the importance of universally accessible footpaths, with special consideration for the needs of children and the elderly. Professor Sewa Ram from Delhi's School of Planning and Infrastructure advised that the ongoing projects involve roadways with ample carriage space alongside extensive, unobstructed footpaths. He further suggested that the authority ensures the continuity of these pathways, incorporating elevated sections where necessary, such as near condominiums, to obviate the need for pedestrians to negotiate drops. The maintenance of trees along these routes should also be factored into the improvements.