Ludhiana: The city stays the sixth most dangerous in India for those on foot. The evidential figures are in the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report. Local safety experts and residents attribute the high fatality rate to urban planning that prioritises motor vehicles while offering almost no functional infrastructure for pedestrians or cyclits. Road safety specialist Kamaljit Soi, a former member of the National Road Safety Council, noted that the city’s roads were designed almost exclusively for vehicles.He pointed out that: “While some footpaths exist, rampant encroachment has rendered those walkways unusable. The lack of zebra crossings and foot overbridges further forces residents to navigate hazardous traffic conditions, often resulting in fatal collisions.”Members of the local community highlighted that the city’s “smart” infrastructure projects had failed to address these core issues. Residents report that even on designated smart roads, parked vehicles and street vendors have taken over the walking space, pushing pedestrians to the middle of the road.This lack of protected space extends to cyclists, who face similar risks due to a total absence of dedicated lanes. Road safety teams have identified specific zones as particularly hazardous, with high-traffic areas near the bus stand and major bypasses cited as the most vulnerable spots for those on foot. MSID:: 130977065 413 |
