Bring signalled pedestrian crossing, control parking of vehicles on roads
The blatant negligence by the GHMC on issues faced by pedestrians, school-going children and senior citizens is appalling. Most busy roads in the city do not have pavements and in places where they exist, they are encroached upon for commercial use or as parking space for two-wheelers. More serious is the problem of lack of pedestrian crossings. Most roads in the city do not have signalled pedestrian crossings that facilitate people to safely cross roads by halting the vehicular traffic. On busy roads, individuals or groups of people crossing the road are seen gesturing to commuters to slow down and let them walk safely. Fortunately, most people escape without any trouble but I know of a senior citizen who had his leg amputated after he was hit by a bus while crossing the road. I am sure many such accidents happen on a daily basis, but who cares?
It is, however, heartening to note that K.T. Rama Rao, minister for municipal administration and urban development, in his recent meeting with the GHMC zonal commissioners and engineering officials, has risen among others, issues related to the construction of footpaths and footover-bridges in the city. In view of the heavy and tall trucks plying on the city roads, the foot-over bridges need to be built at a designated height.
More convenient would be the installation of signalled pedestrian crossings after every one or two kilometres on all busy roads. They will certainly help pedestrians to cross the road safely and with dignity. Such pedestrian crossings may not cause big delays in the movement of traffic, if properly synchronised with other crossings on the same road. In fact, I see one such crossing installed but unfortunately defunct at the intersection of Banjara Hills Road No. 1 and First Lancer Road.
The installation of signalled pedestrian crossings on all major roads in the city will encourage more people to walk, avoid using vehicles for covering short distances and keep good health and environment.