Chennai: “We need to be given back our right to walk safely in the city,” said Vikram Kapur, corporation commissioner, at a workshop to promote non-motorised transport in Chennai. The event was organised by the corporation of Chennai in association with Institute for Transportation & Development Policy (ITDP).
Engineers from the corporation, NGOs, architects, disability rights groups and traffic police came together at the workshop here on improving infrastructure and services for pedestrians and cyclists on Friday.
Mayor Saidai Duraiswamy inaugurated the workshop and conveyed his message to the participants: “The Tamil Nadu government will take all necessary steps to ensure safe and secure streets.”
Vikram Kapur expressed his concerns about the growing number of accidents in the city and unsafe walking and cycling conditions for pedestrians and cyclists.
“The corporation is fully committed to the cause of non-motorised transport and the share of non-motorised transport and public transport should reach 70 per cent of trips every day, as envisioned in Chennai’s master plan.”
Caroline Samponaro, senior director of campaigns and organising at Transportation Alternatives, says, “Eighty per cent of public spaces are streets and sidewalks in New York. Building dedicated bus lanes, cycle tracks and footpaths is the greatest thing that any corporation can do.”
A cycle rally, being held on Sunday and open to the public, will start from Island Grounds at 7 am and conclude at Madhya Kailash.
