Pedestrians Left To Risk Their Lives As City Lacks Safe Walking Spaces The recent death of a morning walker, who was allegedly struck by a speeding car driven by a drunk motorist in Nagpur, has brought to light a persistent crisis in urban safety. The incident underscores a broader issue: for many residents, a simple walk through the city often means exposing themselves to life-threatening dangers. Encroached footpaths, illegal parking, and the absence of dedicated walking spaces have forced hundreds of people onto busy roads each day, leaving them vulnerable to speeding vehicles and inattentive drivers. Despite repeated calls from Union minister Nitin Gadkari, little progress has been made to address the problem. Residents describe a daily struggle to find safe routes. In areas like Swagat Nagar on New Narsala Road, Samyak Ganvir, a local resident, highlighted the lack of proper infrastructure. “There is hardly any proper space to walk in our area. Every morning, around 100 people are forced onto the road, while many travel 1-2 km from home just to find a suitable place. Walking alongside traffic is unsafe,” he said. Similar challenges are reported in Ajni and surrounding neighborhoods. Sparsh Besekar, a resident of the Ajni Police Station-Tukdoji Putla area, noted that even existing gardens are often closed or poorly maintained. “Even where gardens exist, they often remain closed, and grounds are poorly maintained. This forces people onto the roads and puts their safety at risk,” he added. The problem extends to the availability and maintenance of footpaths and walking tracks. Citizens report that these spaces are frequently obstructed by encroachments, parked vehicles, or other barriers. “Pedestrian space has always remained a distant dream in Nagpur.#nagpur #nitin_gadkari #manish_nagar #ajni #swagat_nagar
