In order to bring in relief to pedestrians crossing Noida-Greater Noida Expressway, Noida Authority has announced plans to construct four more foot overbridges (FOBs) on the stretch. The Authority has decided to appoint a consultant to create the design for the footbridge. According to an official, the tender will be released after they finalise the design and budget. The project is expected to complete within six months. Presently there is only one FOB in operation near Amity University.
According to Authority officials, the first FOB will come up on the expressway between Sector 96 and the divider of Sectors 126 & 127. The second FOB is proposed between divider of Sectors 93 A & B and Sector 129. The third FOB will be constructed between Sector 137 and Sector 168 while the fourth will come up in the vicinity of the proposed Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) in Sector 144. The only operational FOB connects Sector 44 and Sector 125 near Amity University. It has also been claimed that one FOB will be the longest in the country.
Officials informed that the stairways will be built from all four sides of the bridge and special provision will be made for pedestrians to cross the service lane to the FOBs. Keeping in mind the residential population of the area and the working population, it is estimated that at least 20,000 pedestrians will be using the FOBs daily. The FOBs have been proposed to be 160-m to 225-m long with a height above 21-feet. Plans are also being made to extend their length to connect service lanes. “With increase in population is the increase in congestion on the expressway. The move to construct FOBs at various places will ease trouble of pedestrians and minimise traffic snarls,” said an official.