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Indian Cities: Footpaths Vanish, Walkers Suffer
26 Oct
Summary
- Footpaths are broken, blocked, or non-existent in major Indian cities.
- Road planning consistently prioritizes vehicles over pedestrian needs.
- Poor infrastructure discourages walking, increasing traffic and health costs.
Major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru face significant challenges with pedestrian infrastructure. Footpaths are often broken, obstructed by utilities, construction, or markets, and disappear entirely. This persistent issue stems from decades of urban planning that has prioritized widening roads and improving vehicle flow over pedestrian safety and convenience.
Each city presents unique problems: Delhi struggles with wide, fast roads and extreme heat, while Mumbai's pavements are frequently encroached upon by markets and parking. Bengaluru battles ongoing construction and poor pavement quality, forcing pedestrians onto busy roads. These conditions, compounded by poor lighting and lack of ramps, disproportionately affect women, the elderly, and disabled individuals.
The consequences of unwalkable streets extend beyond inconvenience. Reduced walking leads to increased traffic, worsening air quality, and sedentary lifestyles, burdening public health systems. Local businesses also suffer from decreased foot traffic, and public transport becomes less accessible. This creates a cycle where unwalkable conditions make walking even less appealing.
Creating walkable cities requires a fundamental shift in priorities. This includes ensuring continuous, well-maintained footpaths, safe crossings, designated vending spaces, and adequate lighting and shade. Most importantly, urban design and road budgets must recognize pedestrians as the primary users of streets, not an afterthought. While some pilot projects are underway, scaling these pedestrian-friendly initiatives remains a crucial test for Indian urban development.
