Walkers’ woes at Pantheon road

Couple of years, back, when the Chennai Corporation started widening the Pantheon Road stretch, S. Ranjana, of Casa Major Road was happy. A government employee, she had to board the MTC Bus from Pantheon Road to reach her office. The pavements would ensure a safe walk. “Earlier I had to walk on the road as the pavements were in bad condition. I was under the impression that the road widening would benefit pedestrians,” says the 48-yearold Ranjana. However, her happiness was short-lived. “Within a couple of weeks, the hawkers were back. Only a part of the stretch was available for walking and I was trudging on the road again. 

The pavement almost disappears outside the gate of the Egmore Children’s Hospital. “Traffic moves at a snail’s pace here. The hawkers who sell clothes, vegetables and beverages occupy the entire footpath. There is no way it can be used by a pedestrian. We are forced to again walk on the road on that stretch too. Also, this is right next to the bus stop. During peak hours, we have to wait on the road, instead of the bus stand as there is little space on the footpath,” says Sathish Kumar, a bank employee. 

Pantheon Road has many commercial establishments including shopping complexes. Most of these have sufficient parking space but people prefer the pavements. “The parking charges in these commercial spaces are minimal. Rs 10- 20 for two-wheelers and the cars have to pay anywhere between RS 30-50, depending on the number of hours. But some motorists do not want to even pay that and conveniently use the footpath,” says Mohammed Sadiq, resident of Chintadripet and works at shopping complex. 

When questioned, a two-wheeler rider says, “ I just have to park for halfan-hour and I do not want  to waste any money for it. Everybody parks here, so why should I not?” 

In an attempt by the Corporation to improve pedestrian facilities, many pavements on arterial roads were widened. Despite the crackdown by the traffic police on the stretch, illegal parking continues. 

Advait Jani, programme coordinator, Institute for Transportation and Development Policy, says, “Many parts of the city where the footpaths have been wid ened face similar problems. When it comes to Pantheon Road there exists two problems: vendors and illegal parking. To tackle the parking issue, the Corporation must come out with an elaborate plan. In this case, there is an availability of paid parking available, people go for a convenient option, which is free. An elaborate plan has to be laid where there are more number of paid parking everywhere and stricter penalties for flouting the rules. 

Similarly, to regulate the hawker problem, there has to be a hawker management system in place. They are an important part of our social landscape and cannot be ignored.”