More than a month after the inaugural of the Gandhipuram flyover, absence of zebra crosssing at Park Gate junction has made it difficult for pedestrians to cross the road.
With two bus stops on either side of Nanjappa Road near the junction, there are many who get down from the bus and struggle to cross the road, especially during the peak hours.
It is chaos at the junction as some pedestrians try to walk around the round about, some go up the flyover to cross the median, vehicle proceeding towards Gandhipuram do not slow down at the junction, and there are vehicles coming and going towards the flyover, the service roads, Nanjappa Road towards Uppilipalayam flyover and towards Central Jail.
Karthik of Sowripalayam, who takes the bus from the junction often, says he needs to cross the road by going up flyover. The vehicles do not slowdown or stop as there is no signal at the junction. There should be a traffic signal and a foot overbridge, he says.
“Even the two-wheelers find it hard. Some use the service roads for two-way traffic rather than going up to the junction and taking a turn. This adds to the risk of other road users,” says a shoe trader who spreads the products on the roadside every day for sale.
Another pedestrian adds, “Elderly women find it all the more difficult because they cannot cross the road quickly. Residents of Ramnagar or those who work at offices and shops there walk up to the Gandhipuram bus stand every day to cross the road and even there two-wheelers do not slow down.”
K. Kathirmathiyon, secretary of Coimbatore Consumer Cause, suggests that the junction should have zebra crossing near the Royal Care Hospital and a walking path just beneath the flyover near the junction with adequate lighting.
The junction should have traffic signal and police personnel so that vehicles that proceed towards Gandhipuram slow down.
Pedestrians need to cross two roads and it is a risk for them if the traffic is not regulated. “In developed countries, pedestrians are given priority. In India, if there is an infrastructure project, there is no provision for pedestrians to walk or cross the road,” he said.
An official of the State Highways Department said works at the Park Gate junction, as part of the flyover project, are pending as there are several voluntary agencies that have come forward to beautify the area. A committee has been formed to finalise the organisations to be involved for the work. That is one reason why the zebra crossings are not marked so far.
However, walking path and zebra crossing will be marked on a priority basis now after consultation with the police. Traffic signal will also be operational at the junction after discussing with the police, the official said.
(with inputs from
A. Kishore)
