GUWAHATI: The footpaths in Guwahati have become a menace, causing constant fear for pedestrians. Often, two-wheelers occupy the footpaths, either to side-step traffic on the road or for parking. Like the roads, Guwahati's footpaths are in terrible condition, with missing slabs or uneven surfaces, making them highly accident-prone.
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A resident of Paltan Bazar told GPlus, "I think it’s safer to walk on the main road than on Guwahati footpaths."
"Most of the footpaths are encroached upon by vendors, and the rest have missing slabs. I have tripped multiple times. We are waiting for a major accident to happen before the authorities will fix it," he added.
A businessman from Fancy Bazar expressed similar frustrations: "Our complaints fall on deaf ears. The iron grates go missing overnight, there are large gaps, and the stench from the drains makes life difficult. No one cares, and no one will until it’s too late."
Recently, an 8-year-old boy fell into a drain during heavy rainfall and was washed away. The authorities were criticized for not installing covers or protections that could have saved the child. The footpaths, similarly, are waiting for the next accident to happen.
Earlier last year, disability rights activist Arman Ali told GPlus that the footpaths in Guwahati violate The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Act, 2016. He said, "It’s not only about disabled people; the roads in Guwahati are not fit for anyone." He emphasized that ramps, proper signage, and proper footpaths are basic amenities that should be present but are missing.
A PWD official while talking to GPlus on conditions of anonymity said, "It is mostly not pedestrian-friendly because of the poor workmanship of our department (PWD)." He added that due to time constraints, senior officials do not pressure contractors to ensure quality work. "While cleaning the drains, the RCC slab covering the manhole, after being removed, is not properly refitted. These are a few reasons why the footpaths are not pedestrian-friendly."