KOCHI: Walk pavements will play a major role in the success of projects like metro rail and mobility hub.“We have found during surveys in Chennai and Delhi that metro rail commuters look for comfortable and safe pedestrian zones to walk in and out of the stations,” says D Dhanuraj, chairman of the Kochi-based Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR). “We have been talking to the councillors of the Kochi Corporation and local MLAs on the importance of a pedestrian audit frequently so that there will be safe roads for road users, too,” Dhanuraj said.The CPPR had conducted a one-of-its-kind pedestrian audit a couple of years ago and looked at the state of pavements in the three main areas in the city — Kaloor, Ernakulam South and MG Road.The area from Manappattiparambu to St Antony’s Church in Kaloor was audited in the hope that it would conform to the measures prescribed by the Indian Road Standards. But it was found that potholes, hoardings, transformers, garbage heaps etc obstruct pedestrian mobility on the stretch. Only very few points along that stretch adhere to the Indian Road Congress standard that prescribes 5 ft width for footpaths. The elevation of pavement from the ground level does not maintain a uniform pattern. This makes movement strenuous for pedestrians, especially the physically challenged.Further, there is a marked absence of zebra crossings. There are no spots earmarked for pedestrians to cross the wide and crowded road. The presence of a much acclaimed church, more than five educational institutions and innumerable commercial buildings call for more attention. Keeping in view the density of road users on the road, it is obvious that the traffic flow is a total mess.Ernakulam South, an area dominated by residential houses, shops, a school and a railway station, is undoubtedly a busy spot. The bus stops and the railway station contribute to the bulk of pedestrian traffic to and from the stations.A clear disparity can be seen in the width of the footpath here. Beginning with a comfortable width of 8.5 ft, it shrinks, mainly because of the presence of a transformer, to a mere 3.25 ft in the rest of the area. Not only is the area busy with heavy pedestrian flow but the footpath in front of the school has been converted into a makeshift bus stop despite having a proper bus stop a few meters away.There are no pavements but mere concrete slabs over gutters. The same measure up to a mere 1 ft 2.5 inches where as the IRS prescribe a minimum of 4.9 ft. The second transformer is in the middle of the pavement near the Madakkapillil Lane entrance. The area therefore lacks a pavement in addition to being dirty.MG Road is scattered with shops and eateries, and attracts more vehicular and pedestrian movement than most areas in the vicinity.
Comments
0 comment