Where do I walk?

The state of Bangalore roads is nothing to write home about. Many roads are unplanned, have potholes, heavy disorganized traffic and have encroachments. Well guess what is worse than the roads in Bangalore Well it's the footpaths or pavements.

When was the last time you last walked on pavements? Not many roads in Bangalore can boast of decent footpaths. Many of the roads do not even have a pavement and if they do ' well try walking on it. Most of the pavements are broken, have missing slabs, discarded debris, rubble etc. Some vendors also make themselves quite comfortable on the pavements and sell their ware. Government bodies have also added to the mess by digging ditches and holes in many places across the city, thus damaging many a footpath.

Bangalore was once called the Garden City. At one time there were trees lining footpaths. These provided a green cover and also shelter from the scorching sun. However many of these trees are now cut down, and the half cut trees pose to be a danger for pedestrians.

As if all this is not enough just wait for a traffic jam on a busy road. There are umpteen instances of demarcated footpaths being blithely used by motorists.

So, do you walk on the roads dodging vehicles, or do you walk or the so called footpaths both a risky proposition.