07 April,2010 08:00 AM IST | | Debarati Palit
WHO recommends increasing cycling, walking tracks and parks to promote healthy living this World Health Day. MiD DAY discovers promises made by civic body have not been kept...u00a0
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The World Health Organisation has recommended cities should start laying more cycle tracks, public parks and footpaths to promote physical activity leading to improved health among the public. MiD DAY takes a look at the current situation and finds that the civic body has fallen way behind on its promises.
An RTI query by activists Jugal Rathi has exposed that while the city was supposed to get additional 123 kilometres of cycle tracks, not even 50 per cent of the promised tracks have been delivered.
"Firstly, cycle tracks aren't built as promised. If they are, then no signboards are in place to indicate that it is not meant for motorists. That is why motorists ply on these tracks, which makes it dangerous for people on cycles. That's why popularity of bicycles is reducing," said the president of Cycle Pratishtan.
As if this were not enough, even footpaths are encroached upon by hawkers, leaving very little space for pedestrians. MiD DAY visited various busy spots in the city, such as Swargate, FC Road and Laxmi Road, and found that space for pedestrians on footpaths is a scarce commodity owing to encroachment.
The Pune Municipal Corporation's Development Engineer (Roads) Madhav Latkar said he was aware of the problem but helpless against the tide of squatters.
"We are aware of the encroachment and strict instructions have been given to each ward office to clear footpaths. But despite fining encroachers heavily, we have been unable to get rid of them," said Latkar. "This means ward officers are not fulfilling their duties."
Even when it came to public parks, the city has just about 78 gardens, compared to the 100 proposed.
"The population of the city is four million and there are 1,044 wards. Compare that with the population and it is clear that people will have to travel several kilometres to look for a park in the city," said tree activist Vinod Jain. "Who will bother to do it? Naturally people will be fed up and give up on exercise."
PMC Garden Superintendent Bhanudas Mane said the civic body plans to build 18 gardens and six theme parks in the coming six months. "It is not possible to make parks in every ward; people will have to travel a bit. We are trying to increase the number by as much as we can," said Mane.
'It's off-putting'
Dr Dilip Sarda, president of the Indian Medical Association, Pune, says though he cycles to work quite often, the state of bicycle tracks and encroachments are putting him off. "Even when I use these tracks, we find that there is no continuity as it abruptly ends. There is encroachment by hawkers, motorists butt in, and there are potholes. All this is putting me off. Even when it comes to parks, one has to really be determined to find one in the city," said Sarda.
Alleging that the lackadaisical attitude of the authorities is promoting unhealthy living, Dr Sarda said that it is high time the civic body got its act right.
WHO suggestion
The World Health Organisation in its campaign for the week, titled '1000 cities, 1000 lives' has urged authorities to 'open' cities to physical exercise and car-free days.
