Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung has launched a two-month drive in Delhi to ensure there are no encroachments on the footpaths.
At a meeting with various civic agencies and traffic police, issues such as rights of pedestrians, road safety, and free movement on the footpaths were discussed. The civic agencies have been asked to submit within two weeks a report on the status of footpaths in their areas along with their plans.
“Pedestrians are the most vulnerable on the Delhi roads. We need to work concertedly to offer a safe and user-friendly transit to them on footpaths.”
“A review meeting will be held after two weeks to chart out a time-bound plan for joint action by the civic agencies and the Delhi Police to remove encroachments from footpaths and make those pedestrian-friendly,” a statement from the L-G office said. On November 21, 2014, the L-G had written to all civic agencies and the Delhi Police to ensure at least a metre-wide of encroachment-free footpaths on all roads. As per data available, a total of 742 pedestrians died in Delhi last year in road accidents, which constitutes 45 per cent of the total fatal accidents.
The L-G office has urged all government agencies to successfully implement the campaign. He has also sought people’s cooperation. “In order to escape penalties of prosecution, shopkeepers and vendors are advised to remove their belongings from the footpaths and remove cars parked on those. Construction material, encroachments, garbage and other obstructions on footpaths have to be cleared,” the L-G said in the statement.
Pedestrians are the most vulnerable on the Delhi roads. We need to work concertedly to offer a safe and user-friendly transit to them on footpaths.
