Narrow escape for pedestrians

KOCHI: Walking along Chittoor Road, Kathrikadavu-Pulleppady stretch or the Old-Thevara Road is a nightmare. Narrow roads with hardly any footpaths and vehicles parked on either side make it very difficult for pedestrians and even causes deaths. “Pedestrians are denied of their rights on city roads.The roads are narrow and the footpaths not very friendly.Walking on the roads is risky and the zebra crossings are few and far between,” said Simon, who sells lotteries on foot.“We like to walk to the nearby tourism destinations but pedestrians have been sidelined in the city.Motorists must realise that pedestrians have the right of way but the roads here are so clogged that they are not walkable,” said a foreign tourist.Opinion leaders said that driving etiquette was not visible with many drivers cursing pedestrians and speeding recklessly.When asked whether there were plans to improve the situation, PWD chief executive engineer Hashim said: “The roads have been developed by widening narrow paths.Nothing was done in a planned way which results in congestion.The thrust is now on streamlining traffic,” he s a id.However, he agreed that the roads were not pedestrian-friendly and said the higher-ups must make policy decisions.As for Zebra crossings, he said 20 per cent of serviceability is reduced with every crossing.“We are trying to balance pedestrian needs with that of the motorists.” Architect Gopakumar, who has put forward many suggestions to make the city more pedestrian friendly, said a pedestrian master plan had to be made.“During the Corporation Budget meeting, pedestrian space was discussed and plans are afoot to make a master plan.A system will be worked out in which some of the roads such as cross roads would be earmarked for pedestrians and skywalks built,” he said.“Once the Metro Rail comes into being, each station will connect both sides of the road which can be marked for pedestrians' movement,” he said.No driving etiquette* Many feel that driving etiquette is not visible with many drivers cursing pedestrians and speeding recklessly * Architect Gopakumar, who has put forward many suggestions to make the city more pedestrian friendly, said a pedestrian master plan had to be made * During the Corporation Budget meeting, pedestrian space was discussed and plans are afoot to make a master plan * PWD chief executive engineer Hashim he agreed that the roads were not pedestrian-friendly and said the higher-ups must make policy decisions