Wednesday, 05 January 2022| PNS | Dehradun
At a time when infrastructural development is also a major election issue, people in Dehradun opine that despite considerable development, the expected benefit is not being derived by the public. Factors like encroachments, violation of traffic regulations and other anomalies continue to dilute the benefit of infrastructural development in the provisional state capital. Encroachments, improper design and lack of traffic sense means that pedestrians are rarely seen using footpaths, facing inconvenience and the risk of accidents while themselves posing traffic hindrance walking on the roads.
Local resident Khushboo Singh said, “The way vehicle users stop their vehicles at traffic lights it is difficult for pedestrians to cross the roads. Moreover people who drive two-wheeler also drive on the footpath to get ahead of others. In situations like this, where will a pedestrian walk if there is no space left for us?” She suggested that the police should be stricter and make sure that people are following the rules whether they are pedestrians or drivers.
A shopkeeper in Paltan Bazaar said, “The situation of pedestrians and drivers is the worst in Paltan Bazaar. Traffic congestion has become common in the market because of pedestrians and shoppers on their vehicles. Moreover, the lack of proper parking is increasing this problem day by day.” He suggested that the entry of vehicles should be regulated like it was done once a few years ago, and proper parking space be constructed for sellers and the buyers.
College student Rakshita Sharma said “The government should be stricter with the traffic rules, like it was for the rule of wearing double helmets for some time in the past. However that rule is also long forgotten. This is the root cause of the problem, the government makes laws, it is followed for a few days and then it is long forgotten and this cycle continues.” She added that the government should be strict in the implementation of the laws in the state to improve the condition.
A store owner Saksham Uniyal opined, “There should be proper infrastructure in Dehradun. Footpaths are made by the authorities but they are in such conditions that nobody can set a foot on them. Same goes for the other facilities provided. Therefore proper infrastructure and inspection is necessary for the public to use without any hesitation.”
