Mohali’s Foot Overbridges Become Useless Structures? Alleged to Have Become a Hub for Drug Users and Beggars
Kuljit Singh Bedi Demands That They Be Relocated to Needed Locations Along With Lifts
Mohali: Former Deputy Mayor Kuljit Singh Bedi has raised questions over the functioning of GMADA regarding the use and present condition of foot overbridges constructed in Mohali. He said that instead of proving useful to the public, these foot overbridges at several locations in the city are now becoming centres of anti-social activities.
Kuljit Singh Bedi alleged that drug-related material, syringes, empty bottles and other waste are found lying on some of these foot overbridges. He said that the presence of drug users and other people at these locations during the night also raises questions regarding the safety of the area.
Bedi said that he had brought this issue to the notice of GMADA several times in the past, but according to him, no concrete action has been taken so far.
He suggested that if these foot overbridges are not required at their present locations, they should be removed and relocated to places where pedestrian movement is higher and where people genuinely need a safe facility to cross the road.
According to Bedi, the area around Gurdwara Singh Shaheedan Sahib, YPS Chowk, the Civil Hospital/Max Hospital area in Phase 6 and other locations with heavy traffic should be considered for foot overbridges, keeping in view the number of pedestrians. He said that wherever foot overbridges are installed, lifts or other easy-access facilities should also be provided for the convenience of elderly people, patients and persons with disabilities.
He said that if these structures continue to remain unused and poorly maintained, they could eventually become a safety hazard themselves due to rusting and deterioration.
It is pertinent to mention that in 2025, during a meeting with the then Chief Administrator, Kuljit Singh Bedi had demanded that old and unused foot overbridges be relocated to locations where they are actually required, but no action was taken.
Bedi demanded that GMADA and the concerned authorities conduct an on-site survey of these foot overbridges and review their usage, safety and locations, and where they are not required, relocate them to places where they are genuinely needed.
On this occasion, social worker Jatinder Anand Tinku, who was specially present along with other associates, said that the foot overbridge in Phase 7 has also become a “white elephant” and has never provided any real benefit to the people.
