Civic body’s FOB plan surprising

They may hence be required to step down on the road to circumvent the FOB structure. Similarly entry and exit of subways are also located at road side on footpath.

4) Safety of pedestrians using the FOB and subway is also an issue as anti-social elements could take disadvantage of the situation whenever a lone pedestrian is using the FOB or subway. Senior citizens and ladies are more at risk in this context.

If such non-citizen friendly FOBs/subways are provided for access to BRT bus stops located on central bus lanes,movement of bus commuters,many of whom are senior citizens,would also be hampered. This will make use of public transport inconvenient.

Skywalks have problems similar to FOBs. Moreover,in case these are provided in commercial areas such as Laxmi Road,people wanting to shop and avail multiple choice provided by various shops lining the road,would never be able to do so freely if they use the skywalk. Those who decide to use skywalk will have to climb up and down a number of tmes and even retrace their steps back. In view of such practical problems,even the physically fit ones may not prefer the skywalk.

Such thinking has undergone drastic changes in the civilized developed countries who have realized the importance of non-motorized transport and public transport as an effective lasting solution for traffic congestion problem. National and international experts have opined that FOBs and subways are not the right solutions for pedestrian crossings and hence remain largely unused. Not providing at grade pedestrian crossing is also grave injustice towards physically weaker sections of society.

We demand that instead of grade separated pedestrian crossing,the PMC should make it a policy to provide properly designed at grade pedestrian road crossing which is also a far cheaper option than FOBs or subways. In exceptional cases,below road level crossing with design similar to Deccan Gymkhana Garware subway can be provided with a suitable hump on road and only a few steps. It is also to be noted that after widening,roads virtually become highways and vehicles are driven at very high speeds causing unsafe road conditions. Providing at grade pedestrian road crossings with speed breakers and signals as required is a most effective way to reduce vehicle speeds. The National Urban Transport Policy calls for public consultation before construction of non-motorized transport (NMT) facilities for pedestrians and cyclists. It is to be noted that understanding the limitations and problems faced by people would lead to designs that would be usable by all potential beneficiaries.. The PMC is not following this sensible practice and taking unilateral decisions without any transparency and public interaction in such vital matters .

Prashant inamdar

Convenor,Pedestrians First