Abids and Nampally FOB proposals in limbo

Lack of FOBs on busy roads is making crossing these stretches dangerous for pedestrians

For a City like ours with its burgeoning and unruly traffic, there are surprisingly very few foot over bridges (FOBs) for pedestrian safety, especially in busy areas. This lack of FOBs is posing a problem for pedestrians, students and shoppers alike in areas like Abids and Nampally.

The bustling road from Chermas to Big Bazaar in Abids, sees some of the heaviest vehicular movement at any given point of time. The situation turns especially chaotic during school hours. For college goers in the Nampally area, negotiating traffic is tricky, especially during the period when the Numaish exhibition is on. Scores of traffic personnel have to be engaged specifically to help pedestrians cross the busy road during the exhibition time. “I almost always need to take someone’s help to cross the road as it is full of vehicular traffic all the time. Ever since the road was turned into a one way, motorists have no qualms about speeding,” says K Subhash Singh, a resident of Tilak Road.

Another important road, also known as Highway is the road connecting Nampally station to Moazzam Jahi market, often witnesses accidents thanks to speeding vehicles on the stretch. Crossing this stretch of road is especially challenging for women who have to negotiate the traffic to get to their college that lies within the exhibition ground. “In the mornings, it is almost impossible to cross this stretch of road as almost everyone is in a hurry to reach their destinations. Some times we have to wait several minutes before we get a chance to cross the road,” says P Sulochana, a student of the college.

It may be recalled that some time back there had been a proposal to construct an FOB near the exhibition grounds to ensure pedestrian safety. However, due to reasons unknown, this was called off. Had the FOB been constructed, several pedestrians would have benefitted. “The construction of the FOB was almost complete and the structure was lying on the footpath until recently. I don’t know where they have moved it now,” says Md Yakoob, a businessman.

The whole problem is compounded by the lack of speed breakers in the two areas to keep a check on speeding vehicles. According to officials, there were proposals for construction of FOB on at least one of the roads, but it could not addressed because due to lack of consensus. Some of the proposals even had budgets allocated, but did not materialise.

Additional commissioner, Estate and Advertisements, GD Priya Darshini said that the proposal at Nampally was backtracked owing to the importance attached with the road, as it comes under Highways Department. “Heavy vehicles pass through this route, and I believe that proposal was reconsidered by the GHMC. I don’t think there was any such proposal for Abids,” she said.

Tags: Abids, featured, full-image, Nampally, road crossing

Category: City, City News