19.2.09

Designer FOBs from Dubai to Delhi


The dilapidated structures that go by the name of foot overbridges (FOBs) will soon be a thing of the past. The Delhi state government finalized the plan for the construction of 68 foot overbridges in various parts of the city. The design has been imported straight from Dubai with some minor changes here and there to suit the weather conditions in Delhi. The government plans to equip the new FOBs with elevators, with escalators only at places where required. The process to clear more FOBs is also under way. PWD minister Rajkumar Chauhan said: ‘‘We had got all the necessary clearances. Only the design had to be finalized and now with the project all the cleared, the work will start as soon as the tendering process is over. We have chosen the design after looking at options across the world because Delhi needs to have the look and feel of a global city during the Commonwealth Games.’’ The FOBs with lifts will cost roughly Rs 5 crore while those with escalators will cost Rs 6-6.5 crore. The escalators alone will cost Rs 1.25 crore whereas lifts even if on both sides of a structure will cost Rs 25-30 lakh, Chauhan said. He added that the department has been asked to take the final decision about what is required where. ‘‘FOBs near hospitals etc should have provisions for both lifts and escalators. We will make all efforts to make them as userfriendly as possible,’’ the minister said. The Dubai design has been improved upon by making provisions for ventilation. There will also be shops in the space beneath the escalators. This will generate some revenue, as well as avoid encroachments beneath the FOBs.

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