Leave pavements alone, disabled urge motorists

CHENNAI: The corporation has widened footpaths in the city but they remain inaccessible because many people use them as parking lots for cars and two-wheelers.While this is a problem for all residents, it is the disabled — the worst affected — who have taken it upon themselves to sensitise the public. On Saturday, members of Disability Rights Alliance (DRA), a collective, launched a door-to- door awareness programme, on KB Dasan Road in Teynampet.
Smitha Sadasivan and Rajiv Rajan, both part of DRA and Vidya Sagar’s legislative unit, led the campaign from their wheelchairs with the support of a 40-member corporate team. They requested residents, education institutions, private establishments and public using that road not to park their vehicles on pavements.
Corporation officials said 26 disabled-friendly footpaths had been constructed along bus route roads and another 29 were coming up. DRA has audited four — Besant Nagar 2nd Avenue, Loyola College Road, Police Commissioner’s Office Road and KB Dasan Road. “We had suggested corporation to include tactile features, but they are present only around trees on the pavements,” said Sadasivan.
The pavements were made 1.8m to 4m wide to allow a wheelchair and ramps were provided. But the ramps have also made it easier for motorists to get on to pavements and ride along. And the pavement on KB Dasan Road is wide enough for a BMW, Sadasivan said. “There is a hospital and restaurant on the road which allow their customers to park on the pavements. Whoever is driving or parking on pavements must be penalised,” she said.
DRA will form a human chain on December 3, International Day for Persons with Disabilities, and will campaign on Besant Nagar 2nd Avenue on Sunday.