‘User-friendly’ roads for Noida residents
The Noida authority initiated work on an ambitious project to transform the city’s three key roads into model routes, with facilities such as safe walkways, cycle tracks, free Wi-fi, benches and panic buttons with an aim to provide safety to pedestrians.
To begin with, the authority has started work on a two-kilometre stretch of Master Plan-3 road that begins from Mahamaya flyover and connects Sector 71/51 intersection. It has allocated ₹4 crore for completion of work in the two-kilometre stretch. The objective is to provide safe passage to all users — be it cars, motorbikes, bicycles or pedestrians. The authority will also provide smart bus stands, taxi stands, smart benches, dustbins and smart poles with panic buttons.
Work in the two-kilometre stretch is expected to be complete by next month, sources added. “We will provide free Wi-fi service to users at the bus stand, taxi stand and sitting areas. It will be available for 15 minutes for each user and the password will be available at our facility. The idea is to make things convenient for commuters ,” said SP Singh, deputy general manager of the Noida authority, who is also heading the traffic cell.
The authority also plans to plant pollution-resistant saplings along the stretch. “We will also develop multi-utility zones along the roads under our model road project. We also have elaborate plans to place sculptures and add to the aesthetics,” Singh added.
Noida residents welcomed the authority’s move.
“We welcome the move and would want its completion soon because roads are not safe for pedestrians and cyclists in Noida,” said NP Singh, president of Federation of Gautam Budh Nagar Residents’ Welfare Associations, a citizens’ group.