BHUBANESWAR: A study on walkability in Bhubaneswar has revealed that it is “safe” to walk in the Capital but walking is not necessarily comfortable all the time.The “Walkability in Indian Cities” study, carried across six cities in the country, placed Bhubaneswar among the top three with a score of 50 out of 100. Rajkot (with 53) and Pune (54) scored higher.The rating was carried out on nine parameters, including walking path conflict, availability of walking paths and crossings, motorists’ behaviour, amenities, disability infrastructure, obstructions and security against crime among others.The study which was presented to Housing and Urban Development Secretary Saurabh Garg on Thursday revealed that Bhubaneswar scored the lowest so far as infrastructure for people with special needs is concerned. “Facilities were poor not only for the differently-abled but all pedestrians. Amenities such as benches, public toilets and trees along walkways that encourage people to walk were low. In some areas, discontinuous footpaths were a big letdown,” it said adding that, like bad roads discourage motorists, Bhubaneswar footpaths dissuade walkers. At least 51 per cent pedestrians wanted to shift to two-wheelers and cars if no improvement is brought about. However, in terms of security against crime, the Capital scored 55, the highest among the six cities. But there remain far more issues which need urgent attention, the study said. People did not want to walk more than 100 metre to cross the road safely and wanted vehicles to slow down to facilitate crossing. In fact, 83 per cent walkers wanted more crossing points while 68 per cent wanted lower speed limit for vehicle. The study also found that the approach to terminals such as bus stops and railway stations by foot was difficult due to lack of safe, level and clear footpaths with crossings. However, residential spaces have good walking facilities. Most people preferred grade-crossing facilities to skywalks and subways. At least 70 per cent wanted that a parking policy should be chalked out and vehicles cleared from footpaths.“Such a study specifically on walkability is first for Bhubaneswar. It will be give insights into road designs while being useful in the City good for walking and cycling which can be used both by the poor and the rich,” Sanjib Kumar Mishra, Joint Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department, said. Clean Air Initiative for Asian Cities (CAI-Asia) and Local Governance Network (LGNet) carried out the study. CAI-Asia India Representative Parthaa Bosu said, there was an urgent need to assess walking conditions of our cities and highlight the areas for improvement to stakeholders, especially those from Government.Piyush Ranjan Rout, Co-Founder-cum-Executive Director of Local Governance Network said, historically Bhubaneswar urban planning was pro-pedestrian and pro-cyclist which is why it fared better. If city planners follow the grid pattern of growth then in future Bhubaneswar can easily compare itself with Hong Kong or Singapore in terms of walkability, he added.
Comments
0 comment