Noida: A 400-m interchange between Aqua Line‘s Sector 51 and Blue Line’s Sector 52 metro stations has become an ordeal for commuters. Due to the ongoing construction of a skywalk between the two stations, commuters exiting Sector 51 station have to first walk to the rear of the building, take a circuitous route to reach the front, then navigate the uneven, constricted walkway — one metre wide at some places and three to four metres wide at others.Encroachments by vendors on this walkway have added to the problem. Selling mobile accessories, sugarcane juice, books and flowers, they have occupied a substantial portion of the walkway. Autorickshaws are often parked along the roadside with drivers hailing passengers for Greater Noida West routes.“Every day, crossing the interchange feels like a struggle. The walkway is taken over by encroachments, and auto drivers crowd the area. There is no space left to walk,” said a resident of Greater Noida West, Riddhi Sharma. “It’s stressful and unsafe, especially in the evening. Noida Authority should clear this mess and ensure there is a proper, safe passage for commuters.”“It has become extremely difficult to even walk,” a resident of Sector 52, Pooja Kumari, agreed.In Feb, the Authority had announced daily anti-encroachment drives against unauthorised vendors, hawkers and roadside stalls operating in public places. Officials said the move would ensure smooth traffic flow, reduce congestion and keep roads and public spaces accessible. Under the initiative, each of the 10 work circles had been provided with a JCB machine and a dumper to enable regular and systematic removal of encroachments. However, the plan did not work out.There have been multiple anti-encroachment drives on this stretch, but the vendors return the next day, giving little respite to the pedestrians and commuters.The Authority’s general manager SP Singh said an enforcement drive will be carried out to remove illegal encroachments along the stretch on Wednesday.The walkway serves as a crucial for interchange between the two metro stations in the absence of a dedicated skywalk, which has been delayed due to technical issues.Last Thursday, a brief spell of rain turned the temporary walkway into a muddy and slippery stretch, aggravating commuter woes. During the evening rush, large crowds exiting both stations struggled to maintain footing on the narrow and uneven pathway.This stretch is not the only one reeling under encroachments and traffic congestion. Other metro stations across Noida, including sectors 15, 16, 18 and 62, are also facing the same issues. It points to a broader challenge for civic authorities in managing public spaces around transit hubs.
