Gurugram, Oct. 18 -- For Leela Kumari, 41, a domestic help who uses the pedestrian subway near Anaj Mandi and Kisan Bhawan on the Delhi-Jaipur Expressway every morning, the daily commute comes with a deadline: she must cross before dusk. Poor lighting makes her feel unsafe after dark. "This subway is not at all women-friendly. We usually try to use it in groups, as most of us do not feel safe crossing it alone," she said. Several pedestrian subways across Gurugram remain neglected, with inadequate lighting, broken steps, garbage and foul smells raising safety concerns, particularly among women. Some pedestrians said they preferred risking traffic on the roads above rather than using the passages. During a spot check on Friday, HT found two-wheelers using the subway near Anaj Mandi and Kisan Bhawan as a shortcut across the expressway. Riders used the ramp on one side while pedestrians took the stairs. Garbage littered the passage and steps, and a foul stench lingered inside. The subway also appeared to be used as a urinal. Nisha, 32, a regular commuter who goes by a single name, said she had never seen the subway being cleaned. "I think this is one of the most widely used subways in the city, yet it remains filthy. There is no proper lighting, even during the day," she said. Another commuter pointed to broken edges of steps, which posed a risk to pedestrians. "The subway is very important for pedestrians to safely cross the road, but it is equally important to ensure that these structures are properly maintained," she said. Pedestrians also alleged that the subway was used for alcohol consumption and substance abuse after dark. HT also found the pedestrian subway near Iffco Chowk closed and barricaded. Built by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), it was intended to connect MG Road and Iffco Chowk. NHAI officials said Gurugram has four subways. A senior NHAI official said the Iffco Chowk subway was closed soon after opening a few years ago following complaints of unhygienic conditions, alcohol consumption and substance abuse. "We have closed it, and are still deliberating on what should be done next," he said. The official acknowledged the poor condition of the city's subways, including the one at Kherki Daula, which requires repairs. "We are aware of the poor condition of subways across the city. The subway at Kherki Daula also requires repairs and other maintenance work. We will ensure that a permanent cleaning mechanism is put in place for all subways. The subways and foot overbridges in Gurugram were handed over to the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) last month. The authority will share an estimate for the required work with us, which we will approve to facilitate repairs and maintenance," he said. However, GMDA spokesperson Neha Sharma disputed the claim, saying NHAI had not formally handed over the subways and foot overbridges (FOBs). "The subways and FOBs do not fall under our purview, as no formal handover has taken place. Therefore, we are not preparing any estimates for their repair or maintenance," she said. With NHAI and GMDA making contradictory claims about the handover, responsibility for maintaining subways remains unresolved, leaving pedestrians to contend with unsafe or inaccessible crossings....