Rahgiri Foundation, an NGO that works on ‘reclaiming streets’ by partnering with state and city governments, educational institutes, civic society groups and various other organizations, held its Rahgiri Walk on 19thMay, on Subedar Major Luxmi Chand Road, in Udyog Vihar, Gurgaon.
Rahgiri Foundation has been involved in reimagining this neglected industrial road leading to Sarhaul Village (now a factory cum commercial hub) in Gurugram. The emphasis is on executing pedestrian-friendly streets by encouraging sustainable infrastructure for non-motorised commuters.
Labeled by the unhappy locals as ‘Anath Road’, the reimagined and redesigned street now demonstrates a public-friendly infrastructure eliminating the issues of unsafe access, encroachments, surface parking, poor drainage and lack of pedestrian amenities. All this without expanding the road or cutting trees to make space. According to Sarika Panda Bhatt, co-founder of Rahgiri Foundation and also the walk coordinator, “normally full of chaos – traffic, exhaust fumes, dust, heat, garbage, accidents, encroachment, water logging during rains, often dug up due to power, water, or broadband pipe repair – the street has now been transformed.” The street is now becoming very safe, inclusive, accessible and equitable for all, especially pedestrians, cyclists, and street vendors. And the nearby residents, who are otherwise devoid of such amenities. According to Sarika, “The redesigned road is full of trees and lots of supporting greenery. This makes the street cool. At about 2 p.m. daytime temperature on similar roads touches 60 degrees on a hot working day, but this one does not go beyond 34 degrees”, Sarika added. Besides lots of greenery, the street now offers space for hawkers vending fast food, fruits, and other minor items and services and other. This makes the street inclusive, as well as safe, especially for women workforce of the offices and factories, especially during odd hours. And the road has got a new name too – Sanath Road.
Rahgiri is working on five similar projects for developing model, pollution-free roads across Gurugram – Mount Olympus School Road in South City 1, Chouma Road, Sushant Lok Road and Sadar Bazar Road. The projects will address road safety, access, and inclusivity issues and will act as a standard or benchmark for other roads in the city.
