Vijayawada: Expressing concern over the shrinking footpaths and waysides in Vijayawada, the Taxpayers Association has demanded that the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) develop adequate footpaths on both sides of city roads to protect pedestrians from hit-and-run accidents. In this regard, representatives of the Taxpayers Association submitted a memorandum to the VMC chief, urging the civic body to construct sufficient footpaths for the safety of pedestrians in the city.
Speaking on the occasion, Taxpayers Association Vijayawada convenor MV Anjaneyulu said the vehicular population on city roads is surging by the day, jeopardising the safety of pedestrians who are forced to jaywalk due to the absence of proper footpaths.
“With pedestrians resorting to jaywalking, accidents involving motorists trying to navigate around them are significantly on the rise. To prevent these road accidents, the civic body should crack down on footpath encroachments and construct more footpaths across the city,” Anjaneyulu urged the VMC chief.
Anjaneyulu further criticised the authorities for turning a blind eye to pedestrian safety while focusing solely on penalising helmetless motorists. He also took issue with the installation of new speed breakers across the city while failing to address the lack of footpaths.
In the memorandum, Anjaneyulu pointed out that Article 21 of the Indian Constitution guarantees the protection of life and personal liberty to all citizens, and it is the duty of the municipal corporation to construct adequate footpaths and protect the lives of pedestrians in the city.
