Team Herald
PONDA: The recent widening of several roads in Ponda taluka has raised concerns among locals, as mud shoulders have also been asphalted, leaving no space for footpaths or pedestrian walkways. This has sparked debate over whether roads are being designed solely for vehicles, with little consideration for pedestrian safety.
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Vishal Fadte, a resident of Ponda, highlighted the issue, stating, “Many roads in Ponda have been widened, leading to an increase in vehicle speeds. The side border lines, meant to alert vehicles, have been marked at the extreme edges of both sides of the road. However, due to the widening process, the mud shoulders have been eliminated, forcing pedestrians to walk on the road itself, putting them at risk of being hit by vehicles. No safe passage has been provided to pedestrians.”
He further criticised the authorities for prioritising vehicle movement over pedestrian safety, questioning, “Where will people walk if no space is left for them? The road edge directly meets open gutters, leaving pedestrians with no choice but to walk on the road” He also emphasised the need for footpaths near schools, stating that student safety should be a priority but it has been ignored.
Fadte pointed out that while footpaths are visible in city areas, they are rarely found on internal roads in villages. He suggested that wherever roads are narrow, the government should create footpaths, and in places where roads have sufficient width, the edge line should be drawn at least half a metre inside to allow pedestrians to walk safely.
A traffic official, speaking on condition of anonymity, explained that “roadside lines are meant to define the edge or boundary of the road and indicate the driving area, preventing vehicles from veering off. However, for pedestrian safety, the PWD must implement necessary measures.”
Residents continue to urge the authorities to address this issue, ensuring that road development does not come at the cost of pedestrian safety.
