Panchkula: After years of accidents, near misses and public demands, a foot overbridge (FOB) will be constructed on the Zirakpur-Parwanoo stretch of NH-5 near Govt Primary School in Rampur Suri, offering a long-awaited safe crossing to residents of Surajpur and Rampur Siaudi villages.The overbridge is expected to benefit hundreds of schoolchildren, senior citizens and daily commuters who currently have to negotiate the busy highway to access schools, workplaces and essential services. It is also expected to improve traffic flow by reducing unsafe pedestrian crossings on one of the region’s busiest road corridors.The demand gained momentum after NHAI installed railings and iron grilles along the highway, effectively cutting off direct access between the two villages and forcing residents to travel an additional 3-4km to reach designated crossing points.
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Local residents and social organisations have repeatedly flagged the safety risks posed by the absence of a dedicated pedestrian crossing, citing frequent accidents and close calls, particularly involving students attending the nearby school.The project follows intervention by Ambala MP Varun Chaudhry, who urged Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari to sanction the FOB at the earliest. In his representation, Chaudhry said the facility would provide a permanent solution to pedestrian safety concerns while improving movement on the highway.Shivalik Vikas Manch president Vijay Bansal said residents of the two villages have been risking their lives crossing the highway for years. He said the installation of divider grilles had further worsened the situation by forcing people to take long detours for routine travel, making the proposed overbridge a much-needed relief for the area.
