Pedestrian life a no-go in Bhopal as BMC sidesteps duties & fails to walk the talk

Bhopal: Pedestrian life in Bhopal is a daily and seemingly never-ending struggle, even at city's major hubs.

The city might have sidewalks, but they are often too narrow, broken, or simply blocked. Footpaths should make walking easier, but many of them either don't exist or are cluttered with vendors, parked vehicles, and construction debris.

Walking in Bhopal is dangerous for many, as in some areas, only four in 10 roads have sidewalks, and even those are often unusable, forcing pedestrians to negotiate traffic-heavy streets.

Some areas, like Jyoti Talkies Foot Over Bridge, offer a safer option—642 people per hour use it, walking at 5.6 km/hour, while vehicles move at 25 km/hr, keeping pedestrian movement structured. But compare that to ISBT Foot Over Bridge, where only 23 pedestrians per hour make their way across, walking at a slower 3.45 km/hr, while vehicles speed by at 35 km/hour, and you'll see a much more risky passage.

Safe crossings are scarce—less than two in 10 locations have designated pedestrian crossings, and many drivers ignore zebra markings. Even at zebra crossings, pedestrians don't always get a fair chance. Mata Mandir Zebra Crossing sees 564 pedestrians/hour, walking at 4.71 km/hour, while vehicles race past at 45.67 km/hour, making safe crossings nearly impossible. Roshanpura Roundabout, with 520 pedestrians/hr, has the opposite issue—cars slow to 8.63 km/hr, struggling through congestion. Bhopal municipal corporation (BMC) is responsible for building footpaths that meet national standards, but enforcement is weak. Ideally, sidewalks should be 1.8 meters wide, raised slightly for safety, and completely clear of obstacles—but most don't meet these criteria.

Public Transport Users Feel Gaps & Blocked Or Missing Footpaths The Most

Public transport users feel this gap the most. Around bus stops, complaints about blocked or missing footpaths are common. Users say footpaths are one of their biggest travel frustrations. Infrastructure might be improving, but if the quality isn't good enough, it doesn't help pedestrians much.

‘Less Than 40% Of Major Roads Have Walkways'

A survey revealed that less than 40% of major roads in Bhopal have footpaths, and even those are often cluttered or poorly maintained, leaving pedestrians with little safe walking space.

The risks of walking in the city are undeniable—pedestrian deaths were recorded in 2023-24 were in double digits, with one in every six road accidents involving pedestrians ends in death, with nearly one in two resulting in serious injury, highlighting the dangers of inadequate infrastructure.

At many key intersections, the absence of zebra crossings and pedestrian signals forces people to weave through fast-moving traffic, making crossing the road unpredictable and hazardous.

Walkability Put On Wayside Owing To Ineffectiveness Of BMC's Drives

Encroachment is another major issue. Areas like 1100 Quarters Road, New Market, and MP Nagar are particularly difficult for pedestrians, with footpaths overtaken by vendors, parked vehicles, and unauthorized structures. While BMC has attempted anti-encroachment drives, their effectiveness has been temporary—soon after clearances, vendors and squatters return, congesting walkways and making safe pedestrian movement nearly impossible.