As per the International Road Federation (India Chapter), it is advisory for pedestrians to use footpaths, as over 50 per cent of those killed in road accidents are pedestrians. While this is true, the moot point is, where are the footpaths in a bustling city like Coimbatore in the first place?

While vehicle numbers are increasing by the day—over a lakh vehicles registered in four RTO offices in Coimbatore in a year—provisions for pedestrian amenities, such as underpasses, foot over bridges and pelican crossings, are near nil in most arterial roads.

“Pedestrians always remain the most neglected of road users. Even the foot over bridge which was constructed near Avinashilingam University is not thrown open for public utility for a long time for reasons best known to the authorities,” says K Karthimathiyon, District Road Safety Committee member and Joint Secretary of Consumer Cause.

Pelican pedestrian crossings are not set up in traffic signals in most parts of the city, and where they are set up, they are not working. In the absence of pelican pedestrian system, jay walkers throw caution to wind and increase the risk of pedestrians being hit Shopkeepers, pushcart eateries and small vendors continue to infringe onto the pedestrian sidewalks all over the city. Whether it is the busy Gandhipuram or Ukkadam area, Avinashi road or Mettupalayam road, or Tiruchy road, the pavements are either not there or are encroached on and unusable.

“Pavements are used to park vehicles and autos, discard unwanted materials, erect billboards and all other sundry needs,” said 70 year old Vedanayakam, a retired government servant.

“The responsibility doesn’t end with providing pathways, the civic body should ensure its utility by imposing fines and evicting encroachments. It has been stressed several times that first, encroachments should be removed in the city’s arterial roads and then traffic regulations, such as marking one way, be put into effect. The lack of sensitivity and coordination between the various government departments are to blame,” said S Pushpavanam, a consumer activist.

“Due to ongoing works for the flyover construction on the 100 Feet Road, the road has narrowed down to a strip and pedestrians are left in the lurch, as the sidewalks on both sides are heavily encroached upon,” said Valarmathi, a differently-abled person.