DJ Venkatesh
Diglipur, Nov 23: The widening of the road leading from old fish market to RGT temple was done in 2006-07 in Diglipur. At the same time the road side drains were also constructed which was completely covered with footpaths and tiles. Now after 10 years the drains and footpaths are in dilapidated condition. Most of the tiles are damaged , these tiles have become a serious obstacles for the pedestrians. Now the general public and students are forced to walk on the road which leads to traffic congestion.
Due to complete coverage of drains the drains get completely chocked also the water pipelines got damaged in due course of time and started leaking in so many places which is another reason for the congestion in traffic and in the rainy season the water from the drainage system enters into the nearby shops causing financial losses to the shop owners.
The shopkeepers and Pradhan,Subhashgram have already complained to concerned authorities to intervene in this matter .It was requested to take necessary action for cleaning the road side drain by creating manholes from Paul store near old fish market to GSSS Subhashgram and from Fish market to RGT Temple and also to lay new tiles or repair the footpath so that they can be utilized by the pedestrians.
There are much more pedestrians than vehicles in India so in Andaman.
Roads are widened but at end of the day it will be used for vehicle parking and the vehicle movement will take place as in today’s situation. (See the road stretched widened along from minibay junction towards school line)
No proper Zebra crossing, vehicles turns around from any where in the road halts and parks anywhere on the road, even foot paths are also used to park the vehicle leading pedestrian in danger and deprived of using their defined area.
Around 20 years back when there were less vehicles on road traffic signal lights were fully functional and contained pedestrian crossing light but today the signal lights are replaced by manual signals, few digitized signal light works in shifts for two to three hours then are replaced my manual.
The manual signals never stops vehicles so that pedestrians may cross the road and the pedestrian are left helpless risking their life. Thus making vehicle driver thinking that road is there property and does not even halt or stop for pedestrians trying to cross the zebra crossing.
The Traffic police must improvise.The traffic study has to be done and proper zebra crossing at proper location should be made functional.Traffic police shall be also for pedestrian.
If a clean and clear defined path is made only for pedestrians, which should protected from hawkers/vendors/shopkeeper for displaying their two Wheeler/vegetables/cloths/ shoes etc. then people will love to walk on it for long distant instead on walking on the driving area. which will ultimately end road/traffic congestion.
How wide may the road is widened driving lane will only be a small area where two vehicles can cross. as traffic police cannot control in today’s vehicle population same will be in futur.