Karnal roads to be pedestrian-friendly

Parveen Arora

Tribune News Service

Karnal, May 23

Work to make roads safe for pedestrians has got under way in various parts of the district. The district administration has utilised the services of the Municipal Corporation, Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP), Haryana State Agricultural Marketing Board and the PWD to improve the road infrastructure for pedestrians. The work is being undertaken under the Haryana Vision Zero Programme, a road safety programme, launched in May 2017 in 10 districts of the state.

“We are identifying road stretches where the pedestrian infrastructure such as zebra crossings, encroachment-free footpaths, speed-breakers and rumble strips, signage and road markings and streetlights is required,” said Nishant Kumar Yadav, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC).

The HSVP has started work on a stretch in Sector 12 from the Mini-Secretariat to internal roads of Sector 4. A table top pedestrian crossing has been constructed in front of the Mini-Secretariat, the ADC said.

All internal roads in Sector 4 have now have footpaths, streetlights, signage, speed breakers and zebra crossings. Pedestrian walkways with red thermoplastic markings and pedestrian logo had also been provided.

The PWD has earmarked a 10-km stretch from Nissing to Sambhli for work. To reduce traffic speed near schools, speed calming measures, prior warning and informatory signage would be ensured, he said.

Similarly, the HSAMB is engaged in building speed-humps on the stretch between Barsat-Kaimla and Pundri for the safety of pedestrians.

The Municipal Corporation has chosen the stretch from Mahatma Gandhi Chowk to Noor Mahal Chowk and the Sector 13 extension for work. According to data, of the 5,000 persons killed in accidents every year, 35 per cent are pedestrians.