Look at how we want Public Transport either motorized or non motorized in Bangalore. Excpt the BMTC bus facility, Public Transport in case of Commuter Rail, Metro, Cycling and now Pedestrian facility, Bangaloe is doing very bad inspite of having spent huge money in 1000 crore to buy high end Buses for BMTC & costruct TTMC's
On Pedestrian facility, can we say in Bangalore this is particular road which is good interms of all Pedestrian aspects and can be used safely, has it encouraged / helped to make us of more Public Transport in Bangalore.
The recent subway opened at KR Market after 6 Years of Project :
The new pedestrian subway at the Krishna Rajendra (KR) Market was inaugurated on Monday by Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar.
The pedestrian subway, linking N R Road, Avenue Road, KR Road and Kalasipalya Road, has been constructed at a total cost of Rs six crore. Maruthi Constructions Private Limited Agency has executed the project. While the total length of the subway is 128 meters, its height is 3.3 meters.
Crossing the road, especially at N R Road, was a big headache. It took almost 15 to 20 minutes to reach the bus stop and go to the neighbouring roads. With this subway, we can now reach safely, without hassles.”
Besides helping pedestrians, the elderly people and those who want to reach nearby government hospitals such as Victoria Hospital, Minto Hospital, Vani Vilas Maternity and Children’s Hospital can do so easily through the subway.
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/318147/kr-market-subway-opens-last.html
For such good benefit, why r the authorities / policy makers take long time to realise the importance of this.
Sky Walk on Bellary Road near the Indian Air Force ASC Centre on Gangenahalli Bellary Road :
The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has taken up the construction of a skywalk near the Indian Air Force ASC Centre on Gangenahalli Bellary Road.
Mayor Venkatesh Murthy, who laid the foundation stone for the project on Sunday, explained that the skywalk is being built to help pedestrians avoid traffic-heavy Bellary Road. “Due to the increased vehicular movement on Bellary Road, people are unable to cross the road. As a result we decided to build a footbridge.
Even officials at the ASC raised the issue and urged us to take an initiative to ensure people’s safety. The project will be built on Design, Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (DBOOT) basis so as to avert any financial problems,” he said.
The pedestrian walkway, which will be 3 metres wide, will be laid with anti-skid tiles. BBMP Commissioner Siddaiah accompanied the Mayor.
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/317924/skywalk-bellary-road.html
This was very much needed and they should provide two ramps on each side instead on ramp whch may not cost few more lakhs and this type of both will encourage pedestrians to use them better. This waht generally followed in Railway Stations.
Next place needed at K R Puram station, Bangalore Cant Station, Manytha Tech Park, NH-4 at Yesvantpur station, on MG Road, Hudson Circle
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Hebbal railway station is a challenge to travellers
The Hebbal Railway station is an unofficial suburban rail for hundreds of IT professionals travelling to Electronic City. The station is also used by flower and vegetable vendorsfrom places like Salem and Hosur. The station may not have too many trains passing through, however, the four trains that stop here see hundreds of people embarking at the station. Yet, the station is in a pathetic condition.
It lacks basic amenities such as drinking water, toilets, foot overbridge and most importantly, the connectivity. Pedestrians have to walk along the track from below the Hebbal fly-over to the railway station. The route for the pedestrians reek of urine and garbage which makes it tough for them to approach the station.
“Approach to the station for people who come in from the city is the most difficult part. We face a hard time reaching the station from the main road, as it doesn’t have a proper walk lane. Nor is there a parking area for two-wheelers near the station,” said D Govindarajan, a frequent user of the trains from Hebbal.
The station also lacks an overbridge, posing serious risk to the commuters, considering that express trains that do not stop at the station, pass through at high speeds.
“It is tough for us to get to the platform on the other side of the tracks to catch a train, as there is no walk overbridge. We put our life on the line in crossing over to the other platform,” said Shridar, a passenger.
The platforms are too low, making climbing onto the trains a problem for passengers, especially the elderly, women and children and for passengers with a lot of luggage. The short length of the platform is an additional challenge to the travellers, as the trains often extend much beyond the platform.
http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_hebbal-railway-station-is-a-challenge-to-travellers_1787883
Who is to take responsibility for this mess : Mayor of Bangalore, Bangalore North MP, Hebbal MLA, Corporator, SWR Bangalore, NHAI & BDA.
This requirement may not cost more then 2 Crore, but these above people may spend crores of money for meetings and blaming each others.
Why it is tough going for pedestrians
As an expert put it: ‘What the pedestrians want is different from what the BBMP thinks they want. There is clearly a disconnect.
Kalamma Nanjundappa (50) rarely steps out of her home these days. This resident of Pipe Line Road, in Palace Guttahalli, was till recently a domestic worker in nearby homes in Vyalikaval. With her painful knees, she simply cannot negotiate the shattered footpaths that would force her to step down on the road and then up the footpath again.
Her case is just one example of the travails faced by pedestrians in a city that privileges motorists over walkers. Broken and pitted footpaths, if indeed there are any; severe shortage of zebra crossings and traffic crossings, unfriendly underpasses and skywalks... who is not familiar with these hazards in “world class” Bangalore?
The Union Ministry of Urban Development’s National Urban Transport Policy 2006 points to the declining role of non-motorised modes of transport as cities increase in size and density. Thus, access to livelihoods, particularly for the poor, is becoming far more difficult, simply because city travel has become risky. The impact is felt by the poor who figure more frequently among those killed or injured in hit-and-runs involving cyclists, pedestrians and pavement dwellers.
Vinay Sreenivasa from Hasiru Usiru, who conducted road-crossing experiments to highlight pedestrian problems, said: “The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) widens roads to accommodate more vehicles. To widen the roads, it chops the tree cover and reduces the width of footpaths. How can people walk on narrow footpaths without the shade of trees? These ‘development activities’ discourage pedestrians and encourage motorists.”
He then cited the examples of Seshadri Road and 15th Cross, Malleswaram, where trees were felled to widen these roads. Utter insensitivity to pedestrians has also made the former thoroughfare very difficult to cross.
senior BBMP official in the engineering department conceded that the 15,000 km footpath network in the city has been ignored, as the BBMP has not earmarked any “maintenance fund” over the past several years to repair roads and footpaths
Meanwhile, despite pedestrians shunning skywalks and underpasses, the BBMP proposes to construct 98 more skywalks across the city.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/why-it-is-tough-going-for-pedestrians/article4498009.ece
They end up providng onw dwon ramp on each side of the raod instead of two. Also height of FOB is real concern. Also roof cover from sun & rain is very much needed & these will attract more citizens to use them.
60 p.c. of roads do not have footpaths: study
The study shows at least one pedestrian dies daily on an average in Bangalore.
Over 60 per cent of the roads in the city don’t have footpaths while the remaining 40 have footpaths that are either encroached upon or have a width less than 1.5 metres.
This emerged from a recent study on conditions of footpaths in Bangalore carried out by a Traffic Advisory Committee under M.N. Sreehari, Advisor to Government on Traffic, Transportation and Infrastructure.
“This is not only a blatant violation of the Indian Road Congress (IRC) rules, but also a serious threat to the safety and security of pedestrians,” Mr. Sreehari told The Hindu.
The 300-page study, which has been submitted to the State government, shows that at least one pedestrian is killed every day on an average in Bangalore while many others are injured while either crossing the roads or even walking on footpaths.
“We have brought it to the notice of the government and discussed it in the meetings with the BBMP officials, but no action has been taken,” he said, and accused the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike of doing nothing unless someone files a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking judicial intervention.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/60-pc-of-roads-do-not-have-footpaths-study/article4498015.ece
Many find it strenuous to climb skywalks
With most pedestrian underpasses/ subways in a deplorable condition, people would rather risk crossing the road itself. A team from The Hindu, which did a recce, found that most skywalks remain grossly under-utilised for a variety of reasons, including the toll it takes on the breath and knees. Not surprisingly, the only skywalk with a lift, on K.G. Road, is popular. Moreover, this facility is monitored by six closed circuit television cameras.
HAL Airport Road
This road witnesses heavy traffic. Though there is a divider, duck through the broken railings and dart across the road, even though there is a skywalk just after Leela Palace. The Hindu spotted a man on crutches crossing the road thus. “The skywalk may be useful, but the stairs are too narrow and high for me. Their breadth could have been also increased,” said Neelakantesh M., who broke his leg in a road accident. But residents of surrounding areas welcome the skywalk.
High Grounds
The skywalk with 55 steps at High Grounds, opposite the Sophia High School, is mostly used by the school students. Ram Singh, a security guard, said it is well lit till 11 p.m. and that police personnel conduct checks regularly.
Children may find the skywalk a piece of cake but not older people, who have to huff and puff while climbing it.
Seshadri Road
Little wonder that his poorly maintained skywalk is largely ignored by pedestrians. College students prefer to cross the road, risking life and limb. L. Mariyappa, a security guard at the V.H.D. Central Institute of Home Sciences, said that anti-social elements gather at the skywalk at night
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/many-find-it-strenuous-to-climb-skywalks/article4498010.ece
good work done by Hindu by bringing ground reality.
Are pelican crossings strictly for the birds?
Pedestrian-controlled traffic signals or pelican crossings are a common installation at street crossings in many countries. The signal, which allows pedestrians to cross a road, requires people to press a button and wait for a few minutes for the light to turn red and stop oncoming traffic.
Encouraged by the success of this novel idea in the rest of the world, the Bangalore police installed 52 pelican crossings across the city in 2005. The system seemed to sit well with Bangalore’s image as a ‘global village’. The public also received it with a lot of enthusiasm; one remembers little groups of curious people lining up to test the system.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/are-pelican-crossings-strictly-for-the-birds/article4498006.ece?ref=sliderNews
Infront of Eastem Mall near Hebbal, I find that all Vechiles stop till the pedestrians cross. I don't how many junction in Bangalore have this respect for Pedestrian. Even at pelican crossing at Palace Gutthalli near the ITC Windsor Hotel where every motorist respects pedestrians.
Encroachment of footpaths endangering lives of pedestrians, say
One of the main reasons for pedestrian casualties is encroachment of footpaths by not only commercial establishments and hawkers, but also by motorists, according to Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) M.A. Saleem.
The extension of shops and commercial establishments onto the footpaths and parking of vehicles on the footpaths force pedestrians to walk on the roads, making them vulnerable.
“Like roads are for motorists, footpaths are meant for pedestrians,” Mr. Saleem said.
The traffic police have initiated a drive this month to clear the footpath encroachment by fining shopkeepers as well as automobile owners who encroach upon footpaths. Riding or driving vehicles on footpaths is also an offence.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/encroachment-of-footpaths-endangering-lives-of-pedestrians-say-police/article4498016.ece?ref=sliderNews
Let these people visit below Hebbal Flyover, no footpaths, no lights, place is dirt to walk, forced wolk on road ramps. So in Govt agency, they can find many execuses and not even single good reason to solve these pedestrian issues.
Pedestrian Subway at Nagawara
I stay at HBR Layout towards north of ORR. A massive flyover is just taken up for construction at Nagawara junction. Everyday thousands of people cross at this junction. The pity is that the present signal system has zero time for pedestrian passage, with the result people run helter skelter at possible outlets.
I want to submit a petition to BDA commissioner to have subways at 2 locations, one at Manyata tech park end and another at KEB office end to mitigate this problem. can Praja help me with a draft so that i can fill specific aspects & obtain signatures of effected people? Devadas
would it work if the
would it work if the authorities are met first to enquire about their plans of handling pedestrians, if any that is..and then approach bodies like DULT if they can do anything and then if nothing works we can get to signing a petition..
Pictures and realistic number of pedestrians crossing at the peak hours etc could be used as data to support the petetion I suppose..
HC notice to State on plea to ensure pedestrian safety
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/hc-notice-to-state-on-plea-to-ensure-pedestrian-safety/article4605477.ece
Excellent start, good going
Excellent start, good going Jenny! Hoping for the best
Any help needed for thr group, we will extend
Let us know what inputs / help Jenny needs on this.
We will support & ensure that Pedestrian facility are put in place properly in Bangalore
Experts focus on improving transport facilities in city
Traveling 40 km in one hour with maximum of two change overs across different modes of transport may seem like a distant dream for those in the city, but with the right effort, there are solutions that could work, according to panelists of a discussion on mobility.
The panelists were Sir Edward Lister, Deputy Mayor, London, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, founder and chairperson Biocon and Sivasailam, MD, BMRCL.
Organised by Janaagraha, a NGO, and the British High Commission, as part of a peer learning efforts between London and Bangalore, the discussion sought to throw light on the similar challenges faced by the two cities. An important contributor to London’s transformation to its present state was the decision to integrate all modes of transport under the Transport for London, something that Bangalore urgently needed to do, some panelists said.
“Transport integrated planning is new in Bangalore and any model of integration of public transport should begin with the footpaths,” said N Sivasailam.
Kiran Mazumdar Shaw remarked that it was unfortunate that despite Bangalore contribution to the state’s GDP and despite the fact that it aspires to be a city state, only 15 per cent of the state’s GDP was for Bangalore.
http://newindianexpress.com/cities/bangalore/Experts-focus-on-improving-transport-facilities-in-city/2013/04/13/article1542674.ece
I am finding this new discussion for last 3 - 4 days in news paper. So integrated multi modal transport .....
DULT / GOK report on Pedestrain facility
DULT / GOK has issued this way in Jan'2014. Guidelines for planning and implementation of Pedestrain Infrastructure.
http://www.urbantransport.kar.gov.in/pedguide_final_21stJan2014.pdf