GUWAHATI: The ever-changing development scenario of Guwahati has recently paved the way for the construction of flyovers and footpaths. But the pathetic state of the footpaths has left the residents and commuters unhappy with the state of affairs.
The realisation of the citizen-centric smart footpath concept remains a distant dream as, none of the footpaths are fully accommodating for the elderly or disabled, and numerous commuters perceive that the majority of the roads lack pedestrian-friendly features.
The footpaths along BK Kakati Road, Paltan Bazar, Fancy Bazar, Lachit Nagar, and AT Road are in an unrefined state, displaying a lackadaisical approach towards their construction and maintenance.
According to Neelam Kalita, a shopkeeper on BK Kakati Road, the footpath lacks proper structure, resulting in difficulties for residents in commuting.
Furthermore, he alleges that the absence of railing on the footpath leads to people using it as a convenient route, particularly those travelling by vehicle.
Kalita also added, "Bicycles and scooters often resort to using the footpath during peak traffic hours to circumvent congestion and minimize delays."
The culverts that are meant to secure the drains are partially damaged, posing a potential hazard for pedestrians, and the presence of exposed cable wires which obstructs their path further causes more problems.
Another resident of AT Road, Sakshi Singh while talking to G Plus said, "We can't call the footpaths pedestrian friendly. The PWD hasn't done a great job. It's half-baked. My son has stumbled while walking on these footpaths on several occasions. It may be a reason for injuries to others".
There are ongoing efforts to raise the height of the footpath, but concerns have been raised regarding whether this will exacerbate the issue of water logging.
It is important for the drains to have a slope towards the connecting river to facilitate the smooth flow of drain water.
Additionally, the footpaths are constructed on top of the drains.
It is crucial to ensure that these footpaths are designed to be smooth and accessible for pedestrians, including the elderly and disabled individuals.
Speaking to a construction worker in Ulubari, he said, "There is a lack of workforce, and since there aren't many who show up to work, this creates chaos and there is no proper supervision as well."
In an interview with G Plus, a senior official from the Public Works Department (PWD) spoke anonymously and acknowledged that the footpaths are often not pedestrian-friendly due to errors made by the department's workforce.
The official further explained that the new drainage system frequently suffers from inadequate finishing on top, a result of negligence on the part of contractors and labourers involved in the construction process.
This lack of attention to detail renders the footpaths unfriendly for disabled and elderly individuals.
The official also mentioned that time constraints often prevent senior officials from exerting pressure on contractors to rectify these issues.