Hyderabad: As part of making Hyderabad a pedestrian-friendly city by an early date, eight of the 22 foot-over bridges (FOB) proposed by Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) are up and running while work on the remaining 14 are underway. Even as these projects coming up at a cost of Rs 75.65 crore are nearing completion, the fact of the matter is that there are hardly any users of the existing FOBs.
According to the accidental deaths & suicides in India (ADSI) report 2021, released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), over 12,528 road accidents in urban areas occurred around pedestrian crossings. This accounts for 7.7 per cent of the total road accidents in the country. The death of 94 pedestrians killed in road accidents in the city last year is 31 per cent of 297 road fatalities in the twin cities.
According to the ADSI report eight per cent (28,873 out of 4,03,116 cases) of road accidents in the country have been in the vicinity of schools, colleges or other educational institutions. (Photo: DC)
Despite the shocking statistics, one wonders why the rising number of FOBs seems to fail as a remedial measure.
Another worrying data, according to the ADSI report is that eight per cent (28,873 out of 4,03,116 cases) of road accidents in the country have been in the vicinity of schools, colleges or other educational institutions.
On FOBs having few takers, many pedestrians cited reasons like bridges being unclean, stinky, dingy and too much effort and time-consuming.
GHMC chief engineer (projects), M. Devanand said that the recently-built foot-over bridges and the upcoming ones will have elevators and escalators beside stairs.
"Foot-over bridges in Panjagutta and near GVK have these amenities for people to cross over with ease," he said.
Even as citizens believe that this conundrum has no perfect solution, foot-over bridges near Chennai Shopping Mall, Madinaguda, Yashoda Pearl Complex in Miyapur, Hyderabad Central Mall, Panjagutta, near NSKK School in Balanagar, Neredmet bus stop, St. Ann's School, Secunderabad, Swapna Theatre in Rajendranagar, and ESI Hospital, Erragadda, are in the works.
Voices
"I avoid using foot-over bridges because I was shocked to see that they have been, sort of, monopolised by beggars. They have made it their home. Now, why would anyone want to take the trouble of walking in those surroundings?"
O. Varnika, digital marketer
"While these foot-over bridges sound great on paper, the authorities need to understand that they have to be maintained well. They are almost never cleaned, look dingy, walls have sickening pan marks and the whole stretch stinks. I prefer the metro stairs because they are maintained better."
Durga Prasad, student
"I prefer crossing the road directly rather than using a foot-over bridge for the simple reason that it takes a lot of time and effort. With only a couple of them having elevators, wiser counsel in choosing the easier route."
Rachel Shirin, software professional
