Citizen activists and researchers underscore the urgent need for improved pedestrian infrastructure in Indian cities, advocating for meaningful reform to ensure safety and accessibility for all.**
Why Pedestrian Infrastructure in Indian Cities Remains a Challenge**
Why Pedestrian Infrastructure in Indian Cities Remains a Challenge**
Navigating footpaths in Indian cities can be perilous due to inadequate infrastructure and various obstacles.**
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In Indian cities, walking presents a daunting challenge. Footpaths often boast a myriad of obstacles, with many urban centers experiencing poorly maintained or absent walking pathways. Arun Pai, a prominent advocate for walking and founder of the non-profit organization Bangalore Walks, discovered this reality firsthand while surveying pedestrian experiences in Bengaluru. He initiated a "fun challenge" called the 'world's longest footpath run,' encouraging participants to document impediments such as vendor stalls, litter, and crumbling concrete along an 11km footpath.
Pai’s efforts aim to create a specific basis for advocacy to local officials. Instead of broadly claiming "footpaths are bad," he encourages citizens to pinpoint exact locations in need of repair. "When you have specifics, it gets easier to ask the authorities to take action," Pai explains.
His activism resonates with the movements of other groups, like Delhi by Cycle, which focuses on making urban environments more conducive to cycling and walking. The reality remains that in India's large cities, usable footpaths are rare, frequently crowded by vendors, parked vehicles, and even stray animals. Moreover, the existing pathways often lack necessary maintenance and design standards, making pedestrian navigation through bustling streets treacherous.
In Mumbai, the citizen group Walking Project has recently issued a 'pedestrian manifesto' ahead of the state elections, highlighting the dire state of the city’s pedestrian infrastructure. With nearly half of Mumbai's population relying on walking, as conveyed by Vendant Mhatre of Walking Project, pedestrians remain disregarded in transport and safety policies—a reality reflected in pedestrian fatality rates that rank alarmingly high across national road statistics.
Investigations have indicated that pedestrian safety strategies need a fundamental shift away from temporary fixes such as speed bumps towards more robust solutions like comprehensive footpath systems. A 2019 study in Chennai demonstrated that improved footpaths not only resulted in a significant increase in walking among residents, removing the reliance on motorized transport, but also contributed to environmental benefits and savings for lower-income populations.
There is a lack of public outrage regarding sub-par footpath conditions, partially attributed to insufficient exposure to high-quality pedestrian infrastructure abroad. Consequently, walking is often seen merely as a recreational activity rather than a primary mode of transit. This oversight can hinder urban planning decisions, with authorities prioritizing motor vehicle flow at the expense of pedestrian accessibility. Civil engineering expert Geetam Tiwari argues that this misguided focus is detrimental, as it makes it challenging for pedestrians to access transport hubs.
To remedy these issues, it is suggested that more Indian cities adopt frameworks like the Non-Motorised Transport Policy (NMTP), which facilitates improved environments for pedestrians and cyclists alike. The road to accessible and pedestrian-friendly urban areas starts with recognizing walking as a critical aspect of daily life, warranting as much attention as public transport solutions. Establishing safe, well-planned footpaths can ultimately enhance the flow of traffic and contribute positively to the urban ecosystem.
In Indian cities, walking presents a daunting challenge. Footpaths often boast a myriad of obstacles, with many urban centers experiencing poorly maintained or absent walking pathways. Arun Pai, a prominent advocate for walking and founder of the non-profit organization Bangalore Walks, discovered this reality firsthand while surveying pedestrian experiences in Bengaluru. He initiated a "fun challenge" called the 'world's longest footpath run,' encouraging participants to document impediments such as vendor stalls, litter, and crumbling concrete along an 11km footpath.
Pai’s efforts aim to create a specific basis for advocacy to local officials. Instead of broadly claiming "footpaths are bad," he encourages citizens to pinpoint exact locations in need of repair. "When you have specifics, it gets easier to ask the authorities to take action," Pai explains.
His activism resonates with the movements of other groups, like Delhi by Cycle, which focuses on making urban environments more conducive to cycling and walking. The reality remains that in India's large cities, usable footpaths are rare, frequently crowded by vendors, parked vehicles, and even stray animals. Moreover, the existing pathways often lack necessary maintenance and design standards, making pedestrian navigation through bustling streets treacherous.
In Mumbai, the citizen group Walking Project has recently issued a 'pedestrian manifesto' ahead of the state elections, highlighting the dire state of the city’s pedestrian infrastructure. With nearly half of Mumbai's population relying on walking, as conveyed by Vendant Mhatre of Walking Project, pedestrians remain disregarded in transport and safety policies—a reality reflected in pedestrian fatality rates that rank alarmingly high across national road statistics.
Investigations have indicated that pedestrian safety strategies need a fundamental shift away from temporary fixes such as speed bumps towards more robust solutions like comprehensive footpath systems. A 2019 study in Chennai demonstrated that improved footpaths not only resulted in a significant increase in walking among residents, removing the reliance on motorized transport, but also contributed to environmental benefits and savings for lower-income populations.
There is a lack of public outrage regarding sub-par footpath conditions, partially attributed to insufficient exposure to high-quality pedestrian infrastructure abroad. Consequently, walking is often seen merely as a recreational activity rather than a primary mode of transit. This oversight can hinder urban planning decisions, with authorities prioritizing motor vehicle flow at the expense of pedestrian accessibility. Civil engineering expert Geetam Tiwari argues that this misguided focus is detrimental, as it makes it challenging for pedestrians to access transport hubs.
To remedy these issues, it is suggested that more Indian cities adopt frameworks like the Non-Motorised Transport Policy (NMTP), which facilitates improved environments for pedestrians and cyclists alike. The road to accessible and pedestrian-friendly urban areas starts with recognizing walking as a critical aspect of daily life, warranting as much attention as public transport solutions. Establishing safe, well-planned footpaths can ultimately enhance the flow of traffic and contribute positively to the urban ecosystem.
