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'High court notice to government on Pedestrian Safety'
Written By silkboard - 29 April, 2013
Bangalore PIL Safety Pedestrian Infrastructure Pedestrians footpaths
From the Hindu - 'HC Notice to State ... pedestrian safety'
The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday ordered issue of notices to the State government and various civic authorities on a public interest litigation (PIL) petition seeking direction to ensure safety of pedestrians in Bangalore city.
The petitioners sought directions to the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and the city police to remove all advertisement hoardings and obstructions on all footpaths and medians in the city to ensure safety of pedestrians.
They also sought directions to various authorities to jointly maintain the footpaths on all roads in the city by providing access for prams, wheelchairs and safe crossing zones/zebra crossing at regular intervals with suitable escorts for persons with disabilities, children and senior citizens.
The petitioners also pleaded to the court to direct the authorities to ensure that adequate pedestrian facilities are provided as per Indian Road Congress standard prior to building new roads as such considerations have been overlooked in the construction of flyovers expressways, underpasses, metro project and so on.
From the DNA - 'HC asks government about footpaths'
After hearing a petition that chided the city as no-man's land for pedestrians, Karnataka high court issued notices to civic agencies, seeking their statement on the issues raised in the petition.
Jenny Pinto and others have contended in the public-interest petition that Bangalore is not a pedestrian-friendly city as footpaths in various parts of the city are in peril. The petition says that as the city's population increased manifold, it has seen an increase in the number of flyovers, underpasses and magic boxes, adding that all the developments have been done only for motorists, while totally ignoring the pedestrian.
From The New Indian Express- 'High Court notices to ... on pedestrian safety'
The High Court on Wednesday issued notices to the state government, Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and others in connection with a PIL seeking better facilities for pedestrians in the city.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice D H Waghela and Justice B V Nagarathna issued notices to the state government, BBMP, BDA, PWD, KRDCL, and KSPCB, and directed them to file objections.
The counsel representing the petitioner submitted, “According to a survey, one pedestrian dies every day in the city and NIMHANS states Bangalore is the fourth most dangerous city for pedestrians.” For example, there was no pedestrian space at the flyover junction near Indiranagar-Koramangala Ring Road, he said.
COMMENTS
The report revealed that 20.9 per cent of the roads surveyed have no footpaths, while 53.3 per cent have footpaths on both sides and 52.4 per cent have sufficiently wide footpaths on both sides
...Why doesnt it total to 100?
silkboard - 29 April, 2013 - 03:39
This PIL was covered in ToI and other papers as well. Can't find the link right now. If anyone can, please do share here.
idontspam - 29 April, 2013 - 10:07
This only makes sense where they have provided a crossing & it is not being used. Most of the city doesnt have facilities to cross. I hope this law is clear & not misused there. What if they have provided an underpass/overpass & there are old people who find it difficult to cross? How will they ensure public transport stops near these underpasses or crossings & not somewhere else? how are they informing people the presense of facilities especially since it is not a standard facility in the city?
Pedestrian facilities & jaywalking fines-both should go together
dvsquare - 30 April, 2013 - 19:06
IDS
I think, both should go together. On one side, we should keep fighting for better pedestrian facilities, footpath etc, but at the same time, these fines should also be imposed and highlighted in the media so as to let people know of their responsiblities also.
I know govt should first provide pedestrian facilities, but atleast wherever they have provided, we should respect it and follow the rules.
To give an example, there are 2 pedestrian signals on the IRR, one in front of EGL and other one just near the start of the flyover, both just 500 m seperated. They both function well and people are using them efficiently. Motorists also follow the signal in the same percentage as they do on any other signal (I mean, you will always find a few not respecting the RED light). But I see many time, pedestrians also don't think about RED/GREEN, just start walking, that too good sophisticated, well-dressed youths. They should definitely be booked for jaywalking.
Deepak
TOI article with comments and support..
srinidhi - 29 April, 2013 - 06:42
here is it in TOI
The comments section has some support from public too..guess they can be involved too..
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