Footpath Loses Its Purpose in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Hyderabad’s footpaths, meant exclusively for pedestrians, are being used for everything but walking. Across various neighbourhoods, especially in congested areas, footpaths have become makeshift homes for the homeless, with tents and temporary structures occupying the very space designed for walking.

This encroachment is forcing pedestrians onto the roads, endangering their safety and adding to the already chaotic traffic situation. In several places across Hyderabad, homeless people have been living on the footpaths. They, along with their families, live on the sidewalks and do not leave any space for walking. Moreover, they set up makeshift tents on the footpaths and cook, clean and in some places even answer nature's call.

“We do not have any space to walk on the footpath at all. It is occupied by tea stalls, or random businesses or even by homeless people who literally sleep here. Its a nightmare to take a stroll in this city,” said Deepak B, a private company employee, in Secunderabad.

Manik, a person living on the footpath near Nallakunta’s Shivam Road, says he doesn’t have any other option. “We came here from Rajasthan looking for work. Some of us work as daily labourers in construction, but many of them don’t get any employment. We don’t have anywhere else to go.” he said.

Adding to the already severe issue of encroachment, and a complete loss of civic sense, many motorists are often seen driving their motorcycles on the footpaths, even in well-developed areas like the Financial District and Gachibowli.

It’s not uncommon to see motorcyclists weaving through crowds on footpaths, as the roads are packed with other vehicles. This dangerous practice not only ridicules the traffic regulations, but also puts pedestrians at serious risk.

“I see so many bikers who drive on the footpaths. They keep honking at the people who are walking on the path as if it's the main road. we don’t have strict rules for bikers and motorists who break the rules,” said A. Aishwarya, a student from Bolaram.

Hyderabad’s infrastructure is being strained as a result of these issues.

The city consists of around 800 km of arterial roads with footpaths. But, in almost all the important places, the footpaths are being encroached on by businesses, homeless dwellings, or motorists to be used as alternative roads to drive on.

The misuse of footpaths is a troubling sign of deeper issues related to urban management and civic responsibility in Hyderabad.