Rampant encroachments on footpaths, roads pose a safety threat to pedestrians

A shop has fully encroached on the footpath of the GCDA-owned Kaloor-Kadavanthra Road.
| Photo Credit: H. VIBHU

The increasing number of encroachments on footpaths and roads in the city and its immediate suburbs were the key issues raised at a recent meeting of the Kanayannur Taluk Vikasana Samithi. Stakeholders expressed concern over worsening encroachments by shops and kiosks, especially at Kaloor, Kathrikadavu, Pullepady, Thammanam, and Pallimukku at the meeting.

They were also critical of autorickshaw stands that have cropped up in the city and in areas under Maradu and Thripunithura municipalities, obstructing footpaths and pavements and posing a threat to the safety of pedestrians and motorists.

The Kerala High Court had repeatedly come down heavily on the Kochi Corporation, the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA), and other agencies for their ineffective handling of the issue. “It is sad to see that encroachers are having a field day on either side of innumerable roads in the Greater Kochi area. This calls for a coordinated effort by civic agencies, as well as by Cochin Smart Mission Limited and Kochi Metro Rail Limited, which have been redeveloping footpaths and drains on arterial and side roads,” said D. Dhanuraj, chairman of the city-based think tank Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR), which had conducted a pedestrian audit in Kochi and prepared reports on street vending in Kochi and Alappuzha.

An encroached footpath on the Thammanam-Pullepady Road.
| Photo Credit:
H. VIBHU

“The city badly needs seamless footpaths, drains, and allied infrastructure built as per a standardised street manual and pedestrian-friendly norms so that all sections of people can walk safely. This, in itself, will keep encroachers at bay to a large extent,” he added.

The president of Ernakulam Vikasana Samithi, K. S. Dileep Kumar, who has been campaigning against footpath and road encroachments, spoke about how senior citizens were now afraid to venture out of their homes due to the worsening condition of footpaths.

“Over time, the menace posed by encroachers has been increasing, as civic agencies are not taking action against structures blocking public spaces. All this is happening despite directives from the High Court to remove them. Rather than giving repeated assurances like the recently announced Walkable Kochi project, the Corporation should act on them,” he said.

Responding to the concerns, Mayor M. Anilkumar said that the Corporation would act as per the directives issued by the High Court in this regard. Regarding shops and other establishments encroaching on footpaths along the Kaloor-Kadavanthra Road, sources in the GCDA said that the agency had issued notices to shop owners over three months ago and had cleared everything, including boards, from the footpaths. “We will initiate action if encroachments recur,” they added.