For the sorely-harassed pedestrians of Chennai, there is some good news. Two months from now, they are to get wide, well-laid, encroachment-free footpaths in several areas of the city.
The recent Chennai Corporation announcement of the construction of granite footpaths in 71 bus route roads is already seeing signs of fructification, with contracts having been awarded for some sections. In about 15 days, officials said, work will being and the first 15 footpaths will be ready soon.
Areas that will benefit include Anna Nagar, Tondiarpet, Royapuram, Adyar, Kodambakkam and Alandur.
Officials said that in order to ensure that the footpaths were user-friendly and of the best standards, organisations such as Transparent Chennai, Chennai City Connect and the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) have been asked to pitch in with suggestions.
Transparent Chennai will begin a ‘Walkability Survey’ this week, which will look at existing pedestrian infrastructure and determine how safe footpaths are.
“We want to study all obstructions on footpaths. In some areas, footpaths are poorly lit and women find it unsafe to commute at night and so we will study the lighting issue as well. Also, we will hold meetings with residents and get inputs on how they want their footpaths to be. The survey will first be held in Anna Nagar and we will then move to other areas. We will do a pilot study and then put forward our ideas to the Corporation,” said Lalitha Subeeshna, of Transparent Chennai.
Chennai City Connect will bring in volunteer architects and along with ITDP, will offer recommendations to Corporation engineers.
Christopher Kost of ITDP said, “We recently held a workshop with the contractors and engineers and offered suggestions on how to design the footpaths based on the new guidelines from the Indian Roads Congress. We will also coordinate with Corporation engineers and Chennai City Connect to ensure that the work is carried out as per the design at the time of execution.”
All the new footpaths will have ramps to make them easy for people with disabilities to access and use. They will also have bollards to prevent two-wheelers from riding on them.
“To avoid obstacles on the footpath and make them continuous, we are coordinating with the Corporation to remove dustbins and electricity boxes and place them elsewhere. We will not pull down trees on the footpaths, but will work around them. But we will ensure new that new plants are not placed in the middle of footpaths,” said Kavitha Selvaraj, an architect and urban planner.
Residents across the city frequently travel by foot and so, the need to ensure footpaths are user-friendly is urgent, said Roshan Toshniwal, a researcher at Transparent Chennai. “During the construction of these footpaths, we will also ensure alternative arrangements are made for hawkers who, at present, use footpaths to sell their wares,” he said.
Keywords: city foodpath, pedestrians, Chennai Corporation
Footpath is integral to roads.Just as roads are there for vehicles to ply, footpaths are there for people to walk.It is not rocket science.The way we are discussing and flashing development of footpaths as though it is an einsteenic invension.What a pitiable state Indians have become.Foreigners who see our magnificent temples or read our epics are wonder struck how the current generation of Indians have become so brain dead.Indians have a problem to accept authority or understand and accept those who have superior brains and give them the task to develop the country.Indians are comfortable to cut corners, be crooked and lazy.Unless Indians learn to focus on individual excellence, honesty,hardwork,commitment to deliver,be a professional nothing ever will ever change.
What about the garbage bins,the electricity poles,the cobbler,the flower sellers,fruit sellers,water tanks,scooters or cycles parked forever,open drainage,uneven manhole covers, etc.And for how long.There is lack of seriousness in delaing with such things in Chennai.And even if it is there,it would be there only for a few days for all news media to report about it and after that,back to the same.Not exxagerating - this is what is happeneing.There are even the small police booths on these footpaths.So many movies being made in Chennai,none highlights these problems.They are interested in those impossible romance and lovestories forever.
This is most welcome and this is a must in Chennai city. Most of the
roads and streets are missing with footpaths and those with footpaths
are occupied with two-wheelers during traffic congestion hours. The
area near Raj Bhavan is a living example. Pedestrians need to worry
about their own safety.
It is time to go to drawing board to design footpaths and no further studies are needed. Chennai footpaths are as deplorable as any other city in India. This includes Delhi. Footpaths are interrupted by trees and manhole covers projecting above the footpath. In some areas the footpaths are too high making it impossible to step down while crossing private gate entrances and cross streets. Why no ramps were provided at the above locations as is done in the west. Any offset over 1/2" along the footpath is illegal in USA and city is liable for law suits. The storm drains should be located on the road and not under footpaths. Why proposing granites when regular cement concrete pavements provide better walkway and are non-slippery. And cheaper too compared to granite.
Chennai roads are designed to kill pedestrians. Most roads dont have footpaths or they are encroached.
This is a good effort. Hope it is implemented well, so walking to work is a viable option for many. Developing and maintaining all weather footpaths with solar panel roofing or hanging gardens will help generate power and beautify the city.
No elevated or granite foot-paths are needed. Instead let foot-paths are
on the same level of roads, tarred and compulsorily barricaded. This
will automatically prevent traders to stock their goods in pavements.
During rainy days, people can adjust with rain water as they even now
face the same difficulty with elevated foot-paths.
what about building owners who cut channels across the pavements to make way for their vehicles in and out their building? They should be restrained from interfering with the pavements in any manner.
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