Footpaths to vending zones: GMDA plans revamp for Sirhaul toll link

Gurgaon: GMDA is planning to redesign the 1.5km arterial road connecting Sirhaul toll plaza to Kapashera border.The project — being conceptualised in collaboration with Raahgiri Foundation — aims to address road design, traffic management and safety concerns.
For thousands who enter the city from Delhi every day, the drive through Udyog Vihar is their first encounter with Gurgaon's corporate and industrial hub. However, the stretch is marred with uneven asphalt in a few places, broken footpaths and chaotic intersections.Under the plan, the carriageway is expected to be standardised to nine metres to improve lane discipline. Continuous 3.5-metre-wide footpaths are proposed on both sides to ensure uninterrupted pedestrian movement. The median may be redesigned into a narrower, planted strip to enhance visibility and streamline the streetscape.Signalisation of junctions is also part of the plan to reduce conflict points and improve traffic discipline. Dedicated vending zones are likely to be created to regulate informal activity, while utilities obstructing pedestrian paths will be relocated. Special focus will be given to the junction with NH8, where better pedestrian access to bus stops, designated cab parking and a defined slip lane are under consideration.Rainwater swales are also proposed along the green belts and road edges to improve stormwater management. These shallow, vegetated channels will capture run-off from the carriageway, allowing water to percolate into the ground instead of flowing directly into drains. Officials said the aim is to reduce waterlogging during heavy rainfall while supporting groundwater recharge. Any excess water, after percolation, will be directed into the existing drainage network, easing pressure on conventional stormwater infrastructure."We are planning to improve the functionality of this road. The project is currently at the conceptual stage. Once finalised, detailed design and implementation timelines will be worked out," a senior official of GMDA said.Director of cities and urban landscape at Raahgiri Foundation Nidhi Madan said the redesign will focus on inclusive street planning. "Currently, this stretch carries a high volume of pedestrians and cyclists, along with industrial traffic. It is an important connector, but the street today is designed almost entirely for fast-moving vehicles. There is little safe space for pedestrians or cyclists and several junctions function as bottlenecks. We are redesigning this stretch by putting people at the centre of the plan. We want to accommodate walking and cycling safely, include organised cycle parking and activate underutilised spaces. With the right interventions, this can become a more vibrant and functional street. This is effectively the entrance to the city and a critical connector. Its design should reflect that importance," Madan said. Located in Sector 20, this road connects NH8 with the Old Delhi–Gurgaon Road and functions as a key link within Udyog Vihar. The corridor witnesses heavy traffic movement, with office-goers, pedestrians and cyclists, along with commercial vehicles, throughout the day.Despite a Rs 6 crore special repair carried out by GMDA in 2024, the stretch continues to face several challenges.At present, the carriageway width varies between seven and 10 metres, resulting in inconsistent traffic flow. A three-metre-wide median runs along the centre but is overgrown with vegetation in several parts. Footpaths on both sides are either damaged or discontinuous, with utilities and ring main units placed within pedestrian space.Encroachments by vendors and illegally parked buses have further narrowed the effective carriageway. A sewer manhole constructed above road level has added to motorists' concerns. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Holi wishes, messages and quotes !