Don’t occupy footpaths

The already congested roads and the absence of adequate vehicle parking in Srinagar has been adding to the misery as the commuters have been illegally occupying the footpaths by parking their two-wheelers there. It has been observed that the bike and Scooty riders especially in the evening hours have been parking their vehicles on footpaths outside Biscoe School here in the commercial hub Lal Chowk, thus adding to the miseries of the pedestrians. Such an illegal occupation of the footpaths are putting the lives of hundreds of pedestrians at risk as they are being forced to walk along the roadside, which has proven dangerous many times in the past. One fails to understand why such happening is being allowed. The roads are already congested and now occupying the footpaths is sheer discrimination and certainly a negligence, which should not be allowed at any cost. The concerned as per the reports have said that an action in this regard will be initiated soon to ensure that the pedestrians will not face any hardships in the commercial Hub Lal Chowk. There is a need to start a drive against the illegal vehicle parking across Srinagar and take strict action against those involved in the act, so that the lives of the pedestrians including the young, old and especially the children cannot be put at risk. The commuters should also coordinate in this regard and ensure that the roadsides especially the footpaths are not occupied.