Sidewalks @Neeladri Road – Need of the hour!!!
- December 08, 2023
Naga Vydyanathan
Freelance technical and content writer.
Creative writer
Freelance technical and content writer.
Creative writer
The Neeladri Road of 2011, when I first moved in here, is not the Neeladri Road of today. This street has transformed from its desolate avatar with a few shops strewn here and there, to its current buzzing form that reminds me of popular shopping streets. Though this is very much welcome, it also brings with it the caveats of chaos and heavy traffic – both vehicular and people, filling the once-wide street, causing frustrating congestions and traffic jams.
I have often been in awe of the elegant sidewalks in electronic city, all the way from the toll plaza till Wipro gate 16. A few steps beyond gate 16 and we are in for heavy disappointment. The pavements get narrow with a large share of ups and downs, cracks in all sizes and patterns, and sometimes dangerous gaping holes in between. I can imagine what a nightmare it must be for senior citizens to navigate these pavements on one side and the chaotic traffic on the other. A little ahead and there are no usable pavements.
Can’t sidewalks be the solution to not just one problem – but many? The obvious is of course, people, especially senior citizens and children can walk at ease safely. But wide and neat sidewalks will also encourage us residents of Neeladri road to walk to the shops rather than use our 2 or 4 wheelers. This can ease out not only the traffic but also the parking woes on this busy street. And with pedestrians out of the way on the roads, I am sure the traffic flow would also be smooth if we exercise minimal driving discipline. I am still hopeful that this will happen one day and the elegant sidewalks just down the street will come to my lane too.
Can’t sidewalks be the solution to not just one problem – but many? The obvious is of course, people, especially senior citizens and children can walk at ease safely. But wide and neat sidewalks will also encourage us residents of Neeladri road to walk to the shops rather than use our 2 or 4 wheelers. This can ease out not only the traffic but also the parking woes on this busy street. And with pedestrians out of the way on the roads, I am sure the traffic flow would also be smooth if we exercise minimal driving discipline. I am still hopeful that this will happen one day and the elegant sidewalks just down the street will come to my lane too.
