In Vijayawada, a city grappling with explosive vehicular growth, the safety of pedestrians is being severely compromised as crucial infrastructure projects remain stuck in bureaucratic limbo. Proposals for constructing new foot over bridges (FOBs) at major traffic junctions have failed to move from paper to reality, forcing residents to risk their lives daily while crossing perilously busy roads.
Key Junctions Identified, But Zero Action Taken
City officials had previously pinpointed several high-traffic locations as prime candidates for the construction of foot over bridges. Benz Circle, the Bus Station, Ramavarappadu Ring Road, and other vital junctions were all marked for these safety projects. However, authorities have taken no concrete steps to initiate construction, leaving these proposals as mere entries in official files.
The consequences of this inaction are stark and tragic. Official data reveals that a total of 317 people have died in road accidents in the city so far this year. Alarmingly, 102 of these fatalities were pedestrians, underscoring the extreme vulnerability of those on foot.
Residents Voice Desperation Over Daily Commute Dangers
For citizens like Nagamani, a resident of Ramalingeswara Nagar, crossing the road during peak hours at the Benz Circle junction is a "herculean task." She highlights a critical systemic failure: none of the city's traffic junctions have dedicated pedestrian signal crossings that would temporarily halt vehicle movement to allow safe passage.
Echoing this concern, Ramanaiah, a private firm employee on MG Road, emphasizes the urgent need for FOBs and subways at several busy points, particularly the Police Control Room (PCR) Junction. This junction sees a continuous flow of vehicles and is frequently used by passengers lugging luggage between the RTC bus station and the railway station, putting their lives in constant danger.
One Old FOB for a City of Over 2 Million
The infrastructure deficit is glaring when viewed against the city's scale. Vijayawada, along with its suburbs, is home to over 2 million people. Every day, more than 1 million vehicles ply on its roads. Despite this massive density, the city possesses only a single functional foot over bridge near the old Eenadu office by Benz Circle, which was built years ago.
This solitary FOB stands as a stark symbol of neglect. Even as Vijayawada has witnessed exponential growth over the past decade, not one new foot over bridge has been constructed to keep pace with the escalating traffic and population. The gap between identified needs and executed projects continues to widen, with pedestrian safety paying the ultimate price.
The situation presents a clear and urgent call to action for the city's administration. Translating long-pending proposals into tangible safety structures is no longer a matter of convenience but a critical necessity to prevent further loss of life on Vijayawada's bustling roads.
