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Will TenderSURE raise the City's walkability index?

Last Updated 18 July 2015, 20:22 IST

On the jam-packed, narrow lanes of Halasuru market, it is a daily war between pedestrians and motorists.  The person on foot is pushed to dangerous, pot-holed corners, on a road that is nowhere close to being pedestrian-friendly.  Will TenderSURE put these roads on the walkability index?

Bazaar Street in Halasuru is one among the many roads proposed to be revamped under the TenderSURE project with the promise of better footpaths, utility wires under the pavements and dedicated cycle lanes. Preeti Jain, who has been residing near this street for the last 25 years, says that many shop owners and residents in the area welcome the project. “The roads here are so narrow and footpaths are non-existent as they are occupied by street vendors. People are forced to walk on the main road, putting their lives at risk. Parking is another nightmare. Something needs to be done.”

The challenge, however, is that the roads are so narrow here. This will be a difficult area for the planners, she adds.

“What can be done on a narrow road? Extra-wide pavements on both sides of the road are ruled out on this narrow stretch. We have to come out with a customised revamp plan for each road in the City as each road is different and has its own set of problems,” points out Ajay, who owns a jewellery shop on Bazaar Street.

Indiranagar 12th Main Road, a bustling hub of restaurants, resto-bars and coffee shops frequented by the urban-Bengaluru’s youngsters, is also on the list. The young and the travelled, demand dedicated cycling lanes.  “I think dedicated cycling lanes are a great idea. It will encourage more and more people to leave their cars at home and cycle, at least for short distances. It will make it so easy to commute in and around Indiranagar.  In Germany, they have dedicated cycle lanes and when I was there I enjoyed cycling,” says Sivaraman Natarajan, cycling enthusiast.

However, not many people think this way. US-based consultant Chandra recalls that 25 years ago, he used to see so many people cycling in and around the City. “Today, I hardly see any. Even if people do cycle, it is only a handful of enthusiasts who pedal on weekends on a leisure basis. Why compromise on precious road space for this in the Central Business District?” he wonders.

There are some motorists who are dead against the idea of narrower roads and wider footpaths.  Shivaguharaman, Vice-president, Someshwarapura Residents Welfare association has this to say: “We need to strike a balance between the road width and pavement width. If that is done, then it can do wonders to the City’s roads by keeping the motorist and the pedestrian happy.”

Many pedestrians complain that the footpaths on Indiranagar 100 Feet Road, are already wide enough, but not well-maintained. Residents rue that motorists often park their vehicles on the footpaths, making it unsafe for pedestrians and especially children to walk around.

Mani, a resident, commutes around the area to drop his child to school. Even though he lives close to the school, he says he cannot allow his son to walk to the institution  because the footpaths are not safe. “ Motorists keep riding on the footpaths as if they are roads to park their vehicles. On the other hand, the footpaths are constantly dug open for some or other work. How can i allow my child to walk around in the area in such a situation? We do not need wider footpaths, what we need are safer footpaths where pedestrians can walk around without worrying about falling into a ditch or being hit by a two-wheeler,” he observes in justified angst.

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(Published 18 July 2015, 20:22 IST)

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