Delhi Fails To Walk The Talk, Feel Its Foot Soldiers

Time of India

2 days ago

New Delhi: Crossing a fenced median, jumping over a divider, and stepping aside for a two-wheeler zooming down the footpath – these are some of the daily challenges for pedestrians in Delhi, a study conducted by Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and University College London has revealed.
"The study paints a stark picture of the city's walking environment. Titled Perceptions of Pedestrian Safety in Delhi: A Rasch Analysis Approach, the research used a psychometric technique — Rasch analysis — to evaluate how pedestrians perceive safety," said co-author Prof Geetam Tewari from IIT-Delhi.
The findings, based on interviews with 426 pedestrians across eight wards in south Delhi, revealed that 12 out of 15 pedestrian conditions were perceived as "unsafe", she added.
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The study broke down pedestrian experiences into three broad categories -- crossing safety, footpath or walking safety, and personal security. Each category included real-world situations that pedestrians commonly face. The most dangerous environments, according to the respondents, included situations involving fast-moving and high-volume traffic, absence of crossing facilities near bus stops, and visibility blocked by parked vehicles.
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While medians were seen as helpful refuges while crossing, many are fenced or too high, making them inaccessible or even dangerous.
The presence of parked vehicles near crossings was another recurring concern that gained attention. The study challenged previous assumptions about parked vehicles acting as protective buffers. Instead, it found that such obstructions block visibility, reduce walking speed, and lead to confusion and delays — raising the risk of accidents.
As far as footpaths were concerned, the study flagged serious concerns around encroachments by parked vehicles, motorised two-wheelers driving on sidewalks, and the absence of guardrails — all of which force pedestrians into traffic lanes. Particularly alarming was the routine use of footpaths by two-wheelers during peak traffic hours. "These motorised intrusions turn sidewalks into road extensions, robbing pedestrians of their space," the report observed.
In contrast, raised footpaths were perceived as safer since they act as a physical barrier against vehicles. Surprisingly, crowded footpaths were also viewed positively — largely because the presence of other pedestrians, especially in isolated stretches, created a sense of community and vigilance.
More respondents reported a sense of insecurity after sunset. The study found that poor street lighting, absence of CCTV cameras and a lack of police visibility contributed to heightened anxiety while walking in the dark.
Streetlights in many parts of Delhi are positioned in road medians or only on one side, leaving footpaths poorly illuminated. This lighting gap makes pedestrians vulnerable to harassment, theft, or worse, the report noted.
Interestingly, the presence of street vendors was one of the few factors that enhanced a sense of safety. Their continuous presence, even late into the evening, made pedestrians feel less alone and more protected.
The researchers describe vendors as acting like "eyes and ears" on the street.
The study also uncovered gender-based differences in safety perception. Compared to men, women showed greater reliance on medians while crossing and expressed more concern about parked vehicles and the absence of guardrails.
The findings of the study have underlined the need to factor in pedestrians in urban planning. Its authors called for urgent interventions, including improved lighting and surveillance systems, designated crossings near bus stops, and strict enforcement against footpath encroachment.