Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Jun 21: Dakshina Kannada member of parliament Capt Brijesh Chowta has written a letter to the new chief minister D K Shivakumar, urging him to prioritize pedestrian safety and smooth movement in the upcoming master plan for Mangaluru city.
Citing a landmark Supreme Court judgment on pedestrian rights, the MP has sent copies of the letter to the urban development minister, the Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner, and the commissioner of the Mangaluru Urban Development Authority (MUDA).
The historic Supreme Court verdict recognized walking on safe footpaths as a fundamental right of every citizen, thereby making it the primary responsibility of local bodies and planning authorities to provide and maintain adequate pedestrian infrastructure.
Call for a comprehensive mobility system
Against this backdrop, Capt Chowta stressed in his letter that the master plan, which will serve as a guiding document for Mangaluru's development over the coming decades, must place a strong emphasis on pedestrian safety. He pointed out that a significant portion of the city's population—including students, senior citizens, daily commuters, and workers—heavily rely on walking. With the city rapidly expanding and vehicular traffic steadily increasing, the need for safe and pedestrian-friendly footpaths has become extremely crucial.
The MP demanded the formulation of a 'comprehensive pedestrian mobility system' for the city. His key suggestions included the creation of hurdle-free footpaths, safe road-crossing facilities near schools, colleges, hospitals, markets, and transport hubs, as well as differently-abled-friendly infrastructure. He also called for better connectivity with public transport networks and strict measures to curb encroachments and unauthorized parking on footpaths.
Walkability audit before finalizing plan
Furthermore, Capt Chowta urged the government to conduct a thorough 'pedestrian infrastructure and walkability audit' across Mangaluru before finalizing the master plan. He noted that such an audit would help identify existing flaws in pedestrian safety and integrate suitable remedies into the city planning process.
Reflecting on his own experiences growing up as a student and citizen in Mangaluru, the MP offered his full cooperation to the district administration, MUDA, and other officials to help understand the ground realities and draft an effective, long-term plan.
"Mangaluru has historically grown as a neat and pedestrian-friendly city. As it evolves into a major urban centre, retaining and strengthening this unique characteristic will significantly contribute to road safety, public health, environmental sustainability, and the overall quality of life for its residents," Capt Chowta asserted in his letter.