PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE / Dehradun
Walking on roads in Dehradun has become unsafe as several areas in the city do not have proper footpaths. Even where footpaths exist, most are broken, covered with grass or occupied by vendors and parked vehicles, forcing people to walk right on the roads alongside the moving traffic.
Residents say that the problem is worsening due to increasing traffic volume and encroachments on pedestrian spaces. Many stretches of Saharanpur Road, GMS Road, Chakrata Road, Raipur Road and several colony roads either have damaged footpaths or no sidewalks at all. In many places, street vendors and parked vehicles have occupied the little walking space earlier left for the walkers.
A resident, Rahul Pandey said that walking during the rush hours has become difficult because vehicles keep moving continuously and there is very little safe space left for walkers. “In many places, there are no footpaths and even where they are present, grass has grown over them or vendors have occupied them. On the road towards Lansdowne Chowk, many clothes sellers and street vendors have taken over the footpath area,” he said. He added that people are often forced to walk very close to traffic because of encroachments and parked vehicles.
Another resident, Sunita Rana said that children and elderly people face the most problems due to the scarce pedestrian facilities. “When walking with children, we have to stay very careful because traffic moves quite close. Elderly people also find it difficult because many footpaths are broken or blocked,” she said.
She also stated that many vehicles are parked on footpaths, further narrowing space for pedestrians. “Proper footpaths and safer walking spaces are becoming increasingly important as traffic continues to rise across Dehradun,” she noted.
Several people said that they have stopped complaining because they feel action is unlikely with the civic body remaining indifferent to their worsening plight.
Told about the people’s problems and their frustration with the Municipal Corporation of Dehradun (MCD) on this issue, the mayor, Saurabh Thapliyal said that MCD is carrying out encroachment removal drives and plans to improve pedestrian infrastructure in the future. “Teams have been formed and drives are conducted regularly. Better footpaths and walkable roads are part of future city planning, especially in areas with more public movement,” he said.
