INFANTRY ROAD: The recently transferred Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) M A Saleem says that not enough has been done for pedestrians in the city.
“For the past 10 years we have been trying to improve traffic movement, but I feel guilty about how the pedestrians get left out most of the time,” he told City Express.
During his third stint with the Bangalore Traffic Police, he plans to change this. “We plan to introduce more skywalks in the city, in areas like Madiwala and near St John’s. The one proposed in Hebbal, where accident rate has been high, will soon come up,” he added.
When asked if pedestrians use skywalks, the cop said, “You should not leave them the choice, like near KR Circle. Everyone takes the skywalk here because there’s no other way to cross the road.”
Traffic is chaotic, and skywalks will sure help, said Devavratha, an IT-sector employee. “Right now, crossing the road is a huge risk, so I prefer to drive,” he added.
Traffic expert M N Sreehari said that existing skywalks aren’t in the least pedestrian-friendly. “They are constructed by the BBMP for ads, not for pedestrians.” The police should stop the unnecessary construction of skywalks, he added.
Wide footpaths
Even though he refused to comment on the TenderSure design of footpaths, having wide sidewalks are important, feels Saleem. “And we should have them on both sides of the road,” he said.
The traffic police will keep its wide footpaths on St Mark’s Road clear of parked vehicles and other encroachment, he said. “We’re just waiting for work to be completed all along the road to start.”
Sreehari said that wide footpaths make more sense in residential areas. “Here the roads should be wide and parking along them should be removed. Roads should be kept clear for vehicles, and the footpaths for pedestrians,” he said.
