Shrinking pavements, a cause of concern

Shrinking pavements, a cause of concern
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: With all the focus on smoother flow of traffic, jam-busting techniques and one-ways, people on foot have been shown little consideration. But while the average pedestrian sometimes manages to leap nimbly out of the way of a speeding vehicle, it is the senior citizens and persons with disabilities who are at the receiving end.

Even widening of roads has resulted in shrinking pavements. Pedestrians are forced to use the road, a great risk for the disabled. ‘‘The pavements are so small that a wheelchair cannot even fit in. One is forced to wheel them on the roads, with vehicles speeding dangerously by,’’ grumbles V.S. Basavaraj, director of Association of People with Disability (APD).

APD is pushing for the introduction of standards for width of pavements and training traffic police to deal with people with disabilities. A minimum of two minutes should be allowed at a traffic signal for a disabled person to cross comfortably, he says. At most junctions, the crossing time is just a few seconds. Also, vehicles, especially two-wheelers, begin to move even before the signal turns green.

Senior citizens too face this problem. ‘‘Traffic constables should help them cross. Also, it would help to have a separate crossing strip for them, as the other pedestrians rush across the road, adding to the confusion,’’ Senior Citizens Club president K.M. George said.

His view is shared by M. Srinivas, chief employment officer at National Association for the Blind (NAB). ‘‘Things are very difficult for the blind and disabled, especially on busy roads like M.G. Road and Residency Road,’’ he said. NAB is also campaigning for ‘‘beeps’’ at traffic junctions. This is a system where a beep is sounded when the lights turn red at a signal, so that the blind will know when to cross. The system is already in use in Mumbai.