Pedestrian bridges must be put to use

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

Monday, December 14, 2009
Myra Imran

Islamabad

Not long ago when the Capital Development Authority (CDA) was drawing public flak for dilly-dallying on building pedestrian bridges, the people seemed justified in demanding what was their right.

Pedestrians getting hit by speeding motorists here and there made the public’s case all the more stronger and the city fathers, albeit reluctantly, went ahead and built quite a few of them around town.

Months later, the bridges beckon the pedestrians who continue to cross over not by taking a flight of stairs to go over them but from underneath these mighty structures. Indeed, across town, jaywalking is a common sight and it is not hard to understand the tendency of the people not to make use of the bridges built for their own safety and on their very demands. Tariq Farman, a Rawalpindi businessman has an answer.

He points out that a shop having three to four stairs in front of it, would not draw as many customers as another outlet with no stairs. “People are just too lazy to go up the stairs,” he said. That’s the simple answer that applies to the pedestrian bridges too, climbing up, which is too much of a bother for most people. They would rather risk their lives. Examples of these daredevils are in abundance.

Drive down the 7th Avenue or the 9th, or the Islamabad Expressway, jaywalkers’ dot the roads. Accidents have occurred in the past and would continue to happen if the authorities do not come up with a plan. Unfortunately for a public that largely lacks civic sense, not much ever seems to work. Take for instance the fence put up on the Islamabad Expressway median. It was torn down, thanks to the locals in the vicinity.

The pedestrian bridges on this road serve more for displaying banners and hoardings rather than people using them. Yet when an accident occurs, the motorists get blamed. However, the Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP), CDA and the district authorities need to seriously focus on this issue that is fast getting out of hand. Losing lives in road accidents is not something that can be ignored. A comprehensive awareness plan needs to be worked out with the cooperation and input of the public.

M.K Sufi, a member of the Islamabad Citizens’ Committee suggests imposing fines on jaywalkers. “Unless the authorities do not get tough, accidents would continue to happen,” he said, adding that in this regard warnings should be displayed prominently, both in Urdu and English.

Khalid Ali, a frequent user of the expressway pointed out that the motorcyclists had damaged the median at several points that they use as a shortcut. “Instead of using the proper u-turns, they opt for this easy way, which is highly risky,” he said.

Another local familiar with the road’s layout said that having U-turns on this road negated the concept of an expressway. “There should be no U-turns and the entire stretch of the road should be fenced.” Fence or no fence, it is the public that will have to mend its ways and cooperate fully with the authorities not just to bring about a semblance of discipline, but also to save precious lives.