When pedestrians are taken for a ride
By V. S. Mahajan
WHEN Chandigarh was originally planned it appears there was no provision made for footpaths. Possibly it was thought that for quite a long time to come there wouldn’t be any need for these in view of small pedestrian traffic anticipated. This attitude appears to have been further strengthened because the northern sectors, which were first to come up, had big houses, mostly between two and 10 kanals.
Thus, instead of going in for costly footpaths, the government thought it prudent to allow the residents in these sectors to develop the area falling in front of their houses as beauty spots. This served a dual purpose — saved the administration the cost of maintaining this land and at the same time added grace to these sectors.
While some residents have taken pains in maintaining these areas in desirable conditions, others, particularly those who are tenants, have hardly bothered, with the result that much of this area is crowded with unwanted grass as well bushes and waste matter.
The situation, of course, is quite different in the southern sectors which have been the last to come up, and are crowded right up to the periphery with high-rising houses and flats yielding high occupancy area per person. Naturally, these sectors have witnessed a rapid growth in pedestrian traffic. However, the Administration, used to indifferent attitude towards footpaths, has hardly bothered to build them, which could have introduced orderly movement of pedestrians as well reduced the chances of accidents.
It is also observed that where footpaths have been built, especially in the city’s market centres in sectors 17 and 22, these lie in a neglected state, crying for urgent repair.
Another prestigious city market centre in Sector 34 is without footpaths. In fact, the traffic scenario in this sector housing a large number of multistoreyed buildings is nothing but chaotic.
Even the situation in northern sectors has now undergone an enormous change. With the construction of SCOs in sectors 26, 7, 8 and 9, the traffic pressure has mounted to such an extent that the existing roads are proving to be quite inadequate to cope with it. In addition the entire northern belt of Sector 9 has now been lined with a row of skyscrapers housing offices of the Chandigarh Administration as well Central and state governments. All this makes this sector further prone to heavy traffic, and with footpaths virtually missing even on main roads, pedestrians are in a highly uncomfortable situation.
Further, Sector 9 houses a large number of public schools where children are especially prone to accidents in the absence of footpaths, more so during the mid-day when roads are virtually choked with vehicles.
Before the situation takes a critical turn, the Administration should take up this issue of planning footpaths at least on the city’s main roads for the convenience of pedestrians. Initially, high priority should be given to areas which have turned into high traffic zones, like the city’s market centres as well sectors where SCOs and government offices are concentrated.
Special care should be taken in the southern sectors where, due to the rise in pedestrian traffic,footpaths should be providedcfor safety and free movement.
Keeping in view the city’s special character, these footpaths should be well- designed with a touch of spaciousness as well modernity. Further, this should be a continuing process till the city is well covered by footpaths to facilitate the movement of pedestrians.
It should not be forgotten that good footpaths, besides ensuring the safety of pedestrians, also lend grace to the city’s environments. These constitute a very integral part of space designing in the western countries.