Chennai: Just weeks after footpath was laid on Vinayagapuram Main Road near MMDA colony, one would barely be able to find even a single square foot to stand on.
The newly-laid footpath on either side of the road has been encroached upon by street hawkers, commercial establishments that display their advertisements and shoppers who park their vehicles on the raised platform. Residents say that so far no police action has been taken to discourage this.
Umapathy, a resident of MMDA colony brought the issue to our attention.
He said, “Every day, I walk my daughter to the Jawaharlal Nehru Road, for her to catch her college bus. We have to pass through Vinayagapuram Main Road to get there. There is absolutely no space for pedestrians to walk on the footpath. We are forced to walk on the road, dodging vehicles that come at high speeds in a rush to reach their destinations in the morning. It is dangerous for pedestrians.”
He adds, “Traffic police patrol this area and I’ve never once seen them seizing vehicles or even warning people who park on the footpath. A restaurant has even extended its counter to serve food on to the footpath. Even established and licensed commercial outlets are violating pedestrian space.”
Umapathy took us to the area and pointed out that there are two schools here where students from lower and middle-income groups study. “These children reside within walkable distance from the schools and every morning you can see them walking on the road dangerously negotiating traffic, since the footpath has been encroached upon.”
News Today observed that almost all commercial establishments in the area had encroached upon the footpath. A small mechanic shop at one of the ends of VinayaKapuram Main road has made the footpath it’s permanent parking space for the vehicles that come to them for service.
To add to the pedestrian’s woes, four-wheelers were parked on either side of the road as well. “We literally have to squeeze ourselves and walk between these parked cars and oncoming traffic,” said Umapathy.
| The inputs for this story were given by MMDA colony resident, Umapathy. He is our Neighbourhood Journalist of the Week. |
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