Sri Vijaya Puram, Mar. 24: The Andaman & Nicobar Administration has taken note of the growing concern regarding the condition of pedestrian infrastructure on public roads in the Islands — including the state of footpaths, pedestrian crossings and road safety at busy stretches such as markets, schools, bus stands and other high-footfall areas. The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, in the matter of W.P.(C) No. 295 of 2012, has also taken serious cognizance of the rising pedestrian fatalities across the country and issued directions to all States and Union Territories to strengthen pedestrian safety infrastructure and address grievances of the public in a time-bound manner.
In furtherance of these measures, the A&N Administration has established a Public Grievance Redressal Mechanism for Pedestrian Safety to enable citizens to bring specific deficiencies or hazards to the notice of the concerned authorities. General Citizen who observes any deficiency relating to pedestrian infrastructure such as encroached or broken footpaths, faded or absent zebra crossings, poor road lighting or unsafe road conditions are requested to register their grievance by dialling Toll-Free No. 112. The complaint will be promptly forwarded to the road-owning agency of the concerned area for necessary inspection and remedial action within a stipulated time frame.
The Administration urges every citizen to refrain from parking vehicles on footpaths, encroaching upon pedestrian spaces or obstructing zebra crossings. Pedestrians are requested to use designated crossings while crossing roads, and all road users are urged to slow down near pedestrian zones and give way to those on foot particularly senior citizens, school children and Divyangs who are most vulnerable. Andaman & Nicobar Administration remains steadfast in its commitment to making every road in these Islands safe for every person who walks on them.
