Damaged footpath forces pedestrian to walk dangerously close to moving traffic

HYDERABAD: Hyderabad might be an IT hub, but even a basic task like walking remains a herculean challenge, with footpaths missing from over 60% of the city.

According to the Telangana Socio-Economic Outlook 2024, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has a road network spanning over 9,000 km, comprising 2,846 km of blacktop roads and 6,167 km of cement concrete stretches. However, official records show that footpaths under GHMC and the Comprehensive Road Maintenance Programme (CRMP) extend to only 1,039 km.When comparing footpath coverage to blacktop roads, which serve as primary thoroughfares, only 36% of the city provides adequate pavements — denying denizens their fundamental ‘right to walk.’“After getting down at Panjagutta metro station, I tried walking towards Banjara Hills. Even covering 2 km seems impossible as there are no footpaths,” said Sandeep Kumar, who works at a private pharma firm.Only 160 km footpath in IT hubAs per official records, the western corridor — encompassing Serilingampally and Kukatpally zones — has merely 162 km of footpaths out of the city-wide 1,039 km network. What’s more concerning is the imbalance in GHMC-maintained footpath distribution, with 536 km of total coverage unevenly split: 206 km on the right side and 329 km on the left side of roads.In fact, even the existing footpaths are in poor shape. Along any busy stretch in Hyderabad — whether it’s Moosapet–Erragadda, Film Nagar–Jubilee Hills, Paradise– Secunderabad railway station, — it is extremely difficult to walk even 100 metres without encountering obstacles. This is particularly challenging for theelderly and schoolchildren.To add to this, a majority of pavements are encroached upon by street vendors, shopkeepers, and unauthorised parking. Additionally, the uneven and damaged condition of many footpaths forces people to walk on the roads. The situation is especially dire in areas like Tarnaka, where there are no footpaths at all, leaving pedestrians with no choice but to risk their safety by walking on the road.A couple of weeks ago, the Supreme Court directed states to frame guidelines to ensure proper footpaths for pedestrians, stating that having unobstructed and disabled-friendly footpaths is part of a citizen’s fundamental rights. The court noted that in the absence of proper footpaths, pedestrians are forced to walk on roads — a serious matter of concern.‘Will reclaim walking spaces’“We have initiated Operation ROPE (Removal of Obstructive Parking and Encroachments) to restore pedestrian walkways in the city. Working alongside traffic police, we conduct targeted campaigns to clear footpath obstructions. We remove temporary impediments that create difficulties for the public. These efforts will help reduce traffic congestion and reclaim walking spaces for pedestrians,” said a senior official from GHMC’s town planning wing.Times view: It may not be possible to make Hyderabad walkable overnight, but the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation can identify a few key stretches in the city and put in place basic infrastructure to start with. Encroachment and pothole-free footpaths is the bare minimum that can be provided. Municipal authorities must realise that as residents become increasingly aware of health and environmental issues, they will see walking as a right, as the first step towards sustainable living. Preempting this demand is good governance.HUMTA plans continuous footpaths To improve access to bus stops, rail terminals, and metro stations, the Hyderabad Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (HUMTA) has decided to create seamless pavements around Ameerpet, Begumpet, Nampally, and Secunderabad. These uninterrupted walkways will enable commuters to reach their destinations without stepping onto the roads or taking detours.

As part of a multi-modal integration plan, HUMTA will construct footpaths extending 500 metres to 1 km, along with dedicated parking facilities for two-wheelers. There are also plans to implement a public bicycle-sharing system, allowing commuters to hire bicycles via a mobile app for convenient last-mile connectivity.“Our objective is to establish an effective and smooth transit system for passengers. By integrating various transportation hubs and developing suitable infrastructure, we can reduce traffic congestion, support sustainable travel options, and improve the city’s transport network. Moreover, the areas nearby will become more conducive for people travelling on foot,” said B Jeevan Babu, managing director, HUMTA.400 pedestrians killed on Hyderabad roads in 2024Owing to the lack of access to footpaths — coupled with inadequate zebra crossings, stop lines, and pelican signals — the city has recorded more than 1,000 accidents involving pedestrians.Police records show that Greater Hyderabad registered as many as 1,032 pedestrian-related accidents, resulting in 400 deaths and at least 775 injuries. The total pedestrian deaths in 2023 and 2024 have now surpassed the 700 mark.Road safety experts point out that Hyderabad’s road infrastructure primarily caters to motorists, neglecting pedestrian needs. They also note that the recent removal of U-turns across the city has led to wrong-way driving, further endangering pedestrians.“The elimination of U-turns has created safety concerns for pedestrians, as many motorists resort to wrong-side driving to avoid lengthy detours. The footpaths constructed in certain areas seem to prioritise aesthetics over functionality and safety standards. Moreover, the city suffers from a shortage of pelican signals” said Vinod Kanumala, a road safety expert.Defunct elevators, escalators cause inconveniencePedestrians are also facing challenges using foot-over bridges (FOBs) due to non-functioning elevators and escalators. As a result, these structures have become largely unusable in high-traffic areas, due to inadequate maintenance by the civic body and private agencies responsible for their upkeep. Dysfunctional lifts at FOBs in busy areas including Gachibowli, ECIL, Erragadda, Dilsukhnagar, and Tarnaka are causing inconvenience to pedestrians. Moreover, FOBs built near GVK One Mall, RC Puram, and Uppal Stadium have remained unused for a long time. The lack of timely repairs is forcing pedestrians to cross roads amidst heavy traffic.While GHMC has constructed over 50 FOBs across its jurisdiction to aid pedestrian movement, many of these facilities frequently face issues with non-functional elevators and escalators. Although GHMC previously announced plans to construct 30 more FOBs, there has been hardly any progress.“There is a need for proper maintenance of FOBs by civic authorities to ensure safe and accessible infrastructure for pedestrians. When these crucial structures are neglected, it not only puts public safety at risk but also diminishes people’s confidence in the administration’s ability to manage public infrastructure,” said Harish Daga, a social activist.