Freeing up roads and pavements

Speakers at a recently organised seminar were informed by minister for roads and communications Obaidul Qader that the principal hindrance to freeing up roads and pavements from illegal squatters is political pressure. Whenever authorities go on eviction drives, influence from various quarters are brought to bear on the move to protect illegal and makeshift hawker markets that have all but taken over pavements in the city and in many cases spilled on to roads themselves. Although they cater to marketing needs of the lower middle income groups, the government has never got around to solving the issue in a positive manner. Nevertheless, the malpractice must be dealt with. Otherwise, broadening roads by adding more lanes will have little effect in tackling the chaotic traffic jam the city experiences on a daily basis.

While pedestrians are forced to walk on roads since pavements are occupied, the situation is aggravated by errant behaviour of motor vehicles on roads. With little by way of observing and following traffic rules, especially vehicles belonging to various government bodies including the police, why would traffic rules be obeyed by others is a question to ponder. As it has now become customary for VIP traffic to move at will, often on the wrong side of the road, we observe that every driver given half the chance will break traffic rules to get a little ahead. 

The primary concern for all is road safety which simply cannot be ensured if human beings and motor vehicles vie with each other to occupy the same space. And that scenario will not change until pavements and walkways are made available for pedestrians.