The Public Works Department (PWD) has made it obligatory for pedestrian facilities to be included in all Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of roads as part of the initiative to improve road safety.

The decision was taken following observations made by the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety (SCCoRS), which noted that the existing lengths of pedestrian pathways in Bengal were inadequate. The committee instructed the state to construct footpaths and other road safety measures for pedestrians, especially in urban areas. A PWD official mentioned, ?All the DPRs related to roads are reviewed at the PWD headquarters to ensure they address road safety adequately. Prioritising the safety of pedestrians is essential.?

Pedestrian facilities, including footpaths, pedestrian crossings, and refuge islands, should be integrated into DPRs during the planning of road projects, especially at critical intersections and areas near schools and hospitals. These locations, which experience high levels of pedestrian traffic, require special attention to ensure road safety. Executive engineers were instructed to ensure the inclusion of these elements in DPRs to prevent project delays.

?It has been noticed in several instances that these elements were overlooked, causing unnecessary delays in project completion,? stated a Nabanna official.

SCCoRS instructed the state to clear footpaths of encroachments. Although acknowledging the challenge, particularly in Kolkata, a senior official mentioned ongoing efforts to address the issue.