Thursday, April 14, 2022

Pedestrians' right to walk

Pedestrians' right to walk

Pedestrians have a right to walk, safely and securely. For this proper footpaths must be available. In most cities footpaths are non-existent or are otherwise unusable. They are encroached upon by hawkers, vendors, beggars and others. Illegal constructions and structures appear from nowhere. Small temples are no exception. Corruption, apathy, Negligence, greed are some reasons for this scenario. On the footpaths one might see projections of metal poles / posts removed improperly. Badly laid stones, unwanted plants growing, rubbish and garbage may be seen. 

Municipal authorities are too busy looking the other way. Complaints are uncared for. NGOs fighting for pedestrians rights are too inactive and week. I hold my breath in anxiety and fear while walking on roads. The problem is acute if you are a senior citizen. Added disadvantages, other than gait stability, are deficiency in sight and hearing. Some biker might hit and escape. You are ruined for life. 

I live in Vikrampuri / Laksminagar area in Secunderabad Cantonment. My daily walk for about 45 minutes partly covers main roads as well. There are no footpaths. Where there is a semblance of a footpath, it will be covered with pebbles, uneven or otherwise occupied or unusable. Overtaking a parked vehicle is too risky. The driver might stupidly open the door and knock you down.  

When will civic sense among our public improve and we may walk on footpaths safely?


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