Under-Flyover Neglect Along Delhi–Gurgaon Expressway Sparks Civic Anger

By Sarhind Times NCR Bureau

Gurgaon, Sept 30

The Delhi–Gurgaon Expressway, a lifeline for lakhs of daily commuters, is again in the spotlight—this time not for traffic flow above, but for the civic neglect festering below its flyovers.

Residents and commuters have flagged deteriorating conditions under major junctions like Hero Honda Chowk, Shankar Chowk, Rajiv Chowk, and IFFCO Chowk, pointing to garbage piles, abandoned vehicles, open urination, and unsafe makeshift stands.

Urban planners say these neglected spaces — valuable urban parcels — must be urgently repurposed into linear parks, parking pockets, hawker-zones with public toilets, and well-lit safe zones.

🚨 The Ground Reality

Garbage Dumps: Heaps of uncollected waste beneath flyover piers.
Abandoned Vehicles: Rusting cars and two-wheelers occupying dead space.
Open Urination & Encroachments: Creating health hazards and discomfort.
Beautification Murals Faded: Initial paints and murals chipped away, never maintained.
Informal Stands: Unsafe stalls mushrooming without sanitation or permits.

A commuter who uses Hero Honda Chowk daily told Sarhind Times:

“Above, you have smooth traffic; below, it feels like a dumping ground. These are high-visibility spaces — how can they be left like this?”

Planners’ Suggestions

Urban experts argue that the “underbellies” of flyovers should not be civic blind spots. Instead, they can be:

Linear Parks & Green Belts: Pocket gardens to improve city aesthetics.
Designated Parking: Relieving pressure from surface roads.
Hawker Zones: Legalised vending with toilets, bins, and lighting.
Cultural Spaces: Murals, art galleries, or performance nooks.
Community Assets: Toilets, ATMs, police kiosks, or cycling hubs.

A Delhi-based planner remarked:

“Every new flyover should budget not just for carriageway throughput above deck, but for life-cycle maintenance below deck. That’s where neglect breeds crime and civic decay.”

Residents’ Voices

RWA Leaders: Say under-flyovers have become dark unsafe corners, especially at night.
Women Commuters: Highlight harassment risks in poorly lit stretches.
Youth & Students: Demand creative use — sports walls, skating ramps, or shaded libraries.

GMDA’s Response

The Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) admitted challenges but pointed to ongoing efforts:

Beautification drives on MG Road and Rajiv Chowk.
CSR partnerships in talks with corporates for upkeep.
Pilot LED-lighting plan under Shankar Chowk.

Yet residents argue sporadic beautification won’t work without a stewardship model for long-term maintenance.

Why Neglect Persists

No Ownership: Flyover maintenance often falls between NHAI, GMDA, and MCG.
Budget Gaps: Funds earmarked for carriageway upkeep, not undercroft spaces.
Weak Enforcement: Encroachments resurface soon after clearance drives.
Lack of Policy: No integrated design guidelines for under-flyover land use.

Global Lessons

Seoul, South Korea: Converted underpasses into cafes and cultural hubs.
Paris: Used flyover undersides for skating parks and markets.
Bengaluru: Under-flyover gardens now act as community breathing spaces.

Experts say Gurgaon can replicate such models with corporate funding and civic partnerships.

Conclusion

The underbellies of Delhi–Gurgaon flyovers have become a mirror of civic neglect, even as the carriageways above remain symbols of mobility. For residents, the anger is not just about aesthetics — it’s about safety, sanitation, and urban dignity.

Unless authorities institutionalize a long-term stewardship model, these dead spaces will continue to fester. Properly planned, however, they could be transformed into some of Gurgaon’s most vibrant community zones.

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