Now, barriers on Gurgaon's IFFCO Chowk flyovers

GURGAON: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has started installation of visual barriers on the IFFCO Chowk U-turn flyovers as part of a trial to enhance road safety and reduce accidents on the stretch.
Installation work has already begun on the U-turn flyover towards Delhi and is expected to be completed within the next 15 days, an NHAI official said.
Similar barriers will be installed on the Delhi-Gurgaon U-turn as well.According to NHAI officials, buildings in the vicinity of the flyover contribute to visual clutter, diverting drivers' attention from the road.
"These barriers will help reduce chances of drivers getting distracted by surrounding buildings and will enhance road safety. If the trial proves successful, this could be replicated at other structures along the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway," a senior official said on Friday.
The visual barriers comprise thick metal-framed plastic sheets and are designed to minimise distractions and help drivers maintain focus, particularly on elevated or curved sections of the road where motorists are more likely to lose control.
In recent years, FFCO Chowk U-turn flyovers have witnessed multiple accidents. In June this year, a 19-year-old student lost his life after crashing his bike into the flyover wall, causing him to topple over the edge. In Aug 2022, two bikers died when an SUV collided with their bike, flinging them off the U-turn flyover onto the expressway below. A similar incident in Oct 2021 claimed the lives of two motorists after their bike struck the boundary wall, resulting in a fatal fall.
Experts are optimistic but said a lot more needs to be done to improve the overall safety of the flyovers. "Installing visual barriers is a start, but NHAI needs to address design flaws in the flyovers," said Anurag Kulshrestha, founder of TRAX, an NGO dealing with road safety.
"These barriers will not only limit external distractions but also create a physical block, reducing the chances of two-wheeler riders falling from the flyover. But the highways authority must also implement speed-calming measures and adequate signage to limit speed and minimise the impact of crashes. The turning radius should match the speed and signage should be placed along the stretch to guide commuters. The change from a four-lane expressway to a four-lane U-turn is hazardous, especially for two-wheelers."