The city footpaths are
in a pathetic condi
tion and needs repairing immediately.
The footpath near Rhino towards Civil Junction – Police Bazaar – Dhankheti – Fire Brigade needs cement topping as these have worn out in patches and are bumpy in nature.
Pedestrians have said that the footpaths need to be in a better condition since rampant traffic makes it difficult for them to negotiate the city roads.
A resident of the city said that the PWD is topping the better-shaped road near the State Central Library whereas the effort should have been made in these footpaths which need more attention.
“Just look at the condition of the thoroughfare in Police Bazaar. The time is not far when somebody will be badly hurt due to the large potholes in them,” he said.
The footpath near Rhino to Civil Junction is also in a terrible condition. “The footpath on both side of this road is used by hundreds of pedestrians on a daily basis and it needs to be in a better shape,” said a pedestrian adding that there are big potholes in the footpath. He is echoed by another pedestrian from Barik. “In some footpath the top layer has gone and clogged drains underneath are running over them making it difficult for the pedestrians,” he said.
A resident of Laban said that the condition of Howell Road is dangerous and needs a footpath on the side of the aqueduct. “There is no walking space for the pedestrian as running cars and parked vehicles have eaten up their space,” he said. In other parts of the city the footpath got leveled with the road and there is no sign of the footpath.
“The authorities should also think of the pedestrians as the city’s footpaths have not been repaired for ages,” said a resident.
There are also some roads where there is no footpath at all. “I feel that the Butcher Road is an important road that connects Police Bazaar and Bara Bazaar as a short cut. Many use it throughout the day and the authority can think of having a footpath for the pedestrians here,” he said. A resident of Nongmynsong said that with the broadening of the road there the civic authority should keep in mind the pedestrian’s part along with vehicles. He also said that the footpath from Nongmynsong to Polo needs urgent repairing.
Meanwhile, the footpath from Rhino Junction towards Laban Last Stop is also in pathetic condition. “With no street lights in place and the broken footpath, it is quite a task to keep oneself safe in these conditions,” another pedestrian said. (By Rajib Roy)
