Guest Column: ‘Skywalks need to be made part of pedestrian culture’

People in Bengaluru are simply not accustomed to the culture of skywalks or subways for pedestrian use. They should be made aware of the importance of doing so. We need awareness on the subject.

There are numerous skywalks across the city, which people don't feel the need to use if they can simply sprint across the road, even if the latter option is dangerous.  Now, skywalks or subways are constructed for precisely this, bearing in mind the density of vehicular movement. So when people cross the road in these areas, when there is a high volume of traffic, it tends to obstruct vehicular movement and cause congestions.

There are other cases, where skywalks constructed to ease traffic are also affecting it. This needs careful research and planning and a study should be carried out at a particular spot before a skywalk is constructed there.

The skywalks should be built where the number of pedestrians crossing the road is high. If the spot is not chosen carefully and the skywalk is some distance behind or ahead of them, it is of no use. People don't want to walk further ahead or take a detour just to cross the road via the skywalk. Medians on the roads should be raised, so that pedestrians cannot jump over them, and will have to go to the skywalks.