Pedestrian to be king of roads

An amount of Rs 5 lakh has already been allocated in the annual budget of the Kochi Corporation for the preliminary work of the pedestrian master plan preparation.
Pedestrian to be king of roads

Though it is said that pedestrian is the king of the road it is not so in Kochi.  To make it a reality the Kochi Corporation is taking steps to prepare a pedestrian master plan for the city.

 This will facilitate pedestrians to move on  the road conveniently and safely. According to a Corporation official, the civic body would  identify an agency to entrust the preparation of the master plan.

“An amount of Rs 5 lakh has already been allocated in the annual budget of the Kochi Corporation for the preliminary work of the master plan preparation. On the basis of the master plan, we will identify pedestrian routes in the city and thereby make pedestrian movement hassle-free,” he said. According to the official, concerns about the safety of crossing the road is expected to be addressed while preparing the master plan. “It  will focus on pedestrian facilities on major roads in the city and proper markings on the road for safe crossing. As pedestrians need an environment that would make them feel safe and secure, focus will be on constructing proper walkways on the stretches identified in the master plan,” he said.

The Corporation is also planning to implement projects to improve pedestrian facilities through infrastructure improvement. The civic body has plans to construct a pedestrian walkway on the stretch connecting Ernakulam South and Marine Drive, a much preferred hangout zone. If a proper walkway is maintained in the area, pedestrians can enjoy a stress-free walk from Marine Drive to South Junction. The pedestrian walkway to be laid with tiles will have proper railings and benches, not to mention mobile charging units and sign boards. It will have roofing in some areas.

The civic body plans to construct similar walkways in other key locations of the city. The places identified include the stretch connecting Goshree Bridge and Thevara Bridge through MG Road, Palluruthy Veli and from the eastern entry of the Ernakulam North Station to Kaloor.

The Corporation is planning to implement the projects in public-private-participation (PPP) mode.

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