HYDERABAD: Despite clear directions from the Telangana high court and enforcement drives by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), pedestrians continue to struggle with unsafe walkways across the city. Residents pointed out that one side of the road near Ambedkar College in Bagh Lingampally has no proper footpath at all, while the other side is heavily encroached.
Encroachments Turn Walkways Into Markets
What should have been pedestrian space has, in many stretches, turned into an extension of roadside vending. Carts selling snacks, fruits, and tea occupy almost the entire stretch. By evening, the situation worsens as more vendors line up, forcing pedestrians to step onto the busy carriageway amid speeding traffic.
“We have no option but to walk on the road,” said A Suresh, a college student and daily commuter. He added that it becomes dangerous and every day feels like they are risking their lives just to walk a few metres. P Lakshmi, a local resident, highlighted that encroachments are removed for a few days but then everything comes back.
Broken Footpaths Add to Woes
Observing the deteriorating pedestrian infrastructure in Hyderabad, the high court had directed GHMC to initiate an inquiry against officials who failed to implement Supreme Court and high court guidelines mandating that footpaths be kept clear for pedestrians.
Meanwhile, similar concerns were raised in other parts of the city. In Kachiguda and SR Nagar, where authorities recently carried out demolition drives to clear encroachments, residents say the aftermath left footpaths broken and neglected. At Ameerpet's 60-ft road, pedestrians pointed to abandoned structures on footpaths after demolition.
A Sravani, a pedestrian from Kachiguda, questioned how people were expected to walk safely. “While GHMC brazenly demolished the footpath recently, they left behind this unstable telephone booth with protruding electricity poles, further narrowing the already damaged footpaths. We are forced to use lanes meant for vehicles,” she lamented.
Selective Enforcement Alleged
Locals also alleged selective enforcement. “Big shop owners were not touched during demolition,” a shopkeeper in SR Nagar said. Kanthi Kannan, founder of The Right to Walk Foundation, emphasised that authorities must ensure uniform enforcement and address both small and large violations. “No one supports encroachment, but why only act against low-income street vendors? Encroachment exists in high-end areas too,” he added.
A GHMC Town Planning official said that the footpath clearance drive, which is usually carried out on a daily basis, had to be temporarily halted due to the prevailing heatwave conditions. “We will resume the exercise again soon and check in Bagh Lingampally too, where all the footpath has been encroached again. Moreover, we are continuously removing the debris to ensure safer pedestrian movement,” the official added.
