Vendors return to footpaths in Kochi, put pedestrians at risk

Footpaths in the city were renovated by Cochin Smart Mission Limited recently as part of the smart road project

A fortnight since the renovated 2.20-km Marine Drive walkway was formally opened, visitors to the prime location are finding it difficult to safely walk up to the half-a-dozen entry points to the walkway, as vendors have wantonly encroached upon footpaths of Abraham Madamakkal Road, which extends from High Court Junction to the first Goshree Bridge.

The situation is much the same at the northern end of Shanmugham Road, where vendors have blocked entry to the walkway. The gravity of the situation can be gauged from the fact that pedestrians have to skip the neatly paved footpaths and walk though the road, risking their life, since most vendors have occupied the entire width of the footpath located a stone’s throw away from the High Court and the Police Club. The footpaths on the eastern side were renovated by Cochin Smart Mission Limited (CSML) as part of its smart road project.

CSML Chief Executive Officer Shanavas S. said efforts were on to clear the footpaths, which also have tactile tiles to guide visually challenged people, of encroachments. “A letter in this regard was recently given to the police. The Kochi Corporation too will have to step in, as directed by the High Court, to ensure that footpaths and roads are cleared of vendors and other encroachers.”