BENGALURU: Less than one in 10 junctions has usable pedestrian crossings in the city, a survey has revealed.
Janaagraha, the well-known NGO, has just released its Street Quality Score (SQS) report for Bengaluru. The survey provides data about streets, and a comparative framework of quality of life across the city.
Of 3,318 km of footpath in the city, only 58 per cent are fit for walking, with 75 in the inner zone and 45 in the outer zone being in a good condition.
About 77 per cent of the footpath requires work, and budgeting has to be implemented. It costs about 59.5 lakh to build 1 km footpath.
Only 9 per cent of 279 intersections have usable pedestrian crossings. Among 198 wards, 127 are partially lit and score below the minimum safety benchmark.
In street lighting, 51 per cent of the wards have levels below the safety benchmark, making them unsafe for pedestrians.
Poor lighting was observed even on Cubbon Road, Infantry Road and Varthur Road.
Of 1,750 km of streets, only 665 km (or 38 per cent), have the benefit of bus stops. The recommendation is a bus stop for every km.
The city has PM 2.5 (fine particulate matter), which is a serious health concern as it can travel deeply into our lungs and cause lung cancer and heart diseases.
The survey found the level higher than the permissible limit by 40 per cent, and blamed vehicles for the problem.
Survey’s objective
SQS seeks to measure quality of life in different parts across categories like water, sanitation, environment and mobility. “We also believe SQS can be a frame of reference that can bring together MLAs, councillors, administrators and citizens to inform budgeting decisions in the city,” Janaagraha says. SQS and the bigger Ward Quality Score (WQS) aim to bring about a positive change in the quality of infrastructure and services.
WQS is measured in seven elements: mobility, sanitation, water supply, environment, public amenities, crime and safety. The scores will be realised in 2016, Janaagraha says.