With Delhi recording 45 per cent of fatal road accidents involving pedestrians, Lt Governor Najeeb Jung today directed all three civic agencies, Public Works Department (PWD) and Delhi Police to identify road stretches where footpaths need to be cleared from hindrances for creating more walking space.
In a meeting with the Municipal Commissioners of all three civic bodies, chairman of the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), Special Commissioner of Police (traffic), representatives of Delhi Development Authority (DDA) and PWD, and senior officials of the state government, the Lt Governor gave two weeks to make footpaths pedestrian-friendly.
"A review meeting will be held at Raj Niwas at the end of two weeks to chart out a date wise, time bound plan for joint action by Municipal Corporations, NDMC, PWD, Delhi Police along with its traffic unit to remove hindrances on the footpath to make them pedestrian-friendly.
"This campaign will run in the city in the next two months and reviewed thereafter," a statement from the LG House said.
The LG's office has also advised shopkeepers and vendors to remove their belongings, cars parked on footpath to escape any kind of penalty of prosecution.
On November 21 2014, the Lt Governor had written to all civic agencies, PWD, DDA, Commissioner of Police to ensure at least one-metre dedicated footpath on all roads of Delhi which should be free from encroachment and should be made more user friendly.
In 2014, a total of 742 pedestrians had died in road accidents in Delhi, which constitutes 45 per cent of total fatal accidents.
"The pedestrians are the most vulnerable category on Delhi roads. We need to work concertedly to offer safe and user friendly transit to them on Delhi's footpaths," the statement said, quoting Jung.
