Loiterers put pedestrians off foot overbridge

It is a common sight to see groups of people gather at a particular point on Nungambakkam High Road, unmindful of the traffic and start to cross the road. Ironically, the foot over bridge is right next to them. Others just cross wherever it is convenient for them and end up running for their lives, past a steady stream of vehicles. 

“I didn’t know that there was a lift here. I thought, instead of climbing the stairs, I’d just cross the road,” says S Dhileep, who had just visited a mobile store close by. The facility was inaugurated in 2009, and was welcomed by many pedestrians who found it an ordeal to climb the stairs. Hundreds of people use the lift everyday, says the lift operator. 

However, many pedestrians would rather risk their lives and cross the road, than take the foot over bridge, or wait for the lift. “The lift is open from 9 am to 8 pm. There are emergency numbers displayed inside the lift, in case of any emergency and I am always here to assist people. Sometimes, when I see people crossing the road, I let them know about the facility but what can I do beyond that,” asks the janitor, who did not want to be named. 

However, pedestrians complain that the lift is not open when they need it most, and want it to be open until midnight. “The traffic on the stretch piles up after 7 pm and goes on till 9 pm. The lift being closed at 8 pm also doesn’t make sense as it is not safe to climb the stairs late in the night, especially for women as there are beggars and others who loiter or spend the night there,” says Shivani Kumar, a resident of Nungambakkam. 

With a TASMAC shop located nearby, the foot overbridge also becomes a convenient spot for tipplers. “The staff leaves by evening and since there are no gates at the entrances of the staircase, tipplers are often spotted consuming alcohol on top. There are also people who even sleep there. Where is the safety?,” asks Azan M, another pedestrian.