Many find it strenuous to climb skywalks

People crossing 100 feet road and not using the sky walk in Indiranagar, Bangalore. File Photo: K. Murali Kumar

With most pedestrian underpasses/ subways in a deplorable condition, people would rather risk crossing the road itself. A team from The Hindu, which did a recce, found that most skywalks remain grossly under-utilised for a variety of reasons, including the toll it takes on the breath and knees. Not surprisingly, the only skywalk with a lift, on K.G. Road, is popular. Moreover, this facility is monitored by six closed circuit television cameras.

HAL Airport Road

This road witnesses heavy traffic. Though there is a divider, duck through the broken railings and dart across the road, even though there is a skywalk just after Leela Palace.

The Hindu spotted a man on crutches crossing the road thus. “The skywalk may be useful, but the stairs are too narrow and high for me. Their breadth could have been also increased,” said Neelakantesh M., who broke his leg in a road accident. But residents of surrounding areas welcome the skywalk.

High Grounds

The skywalk with 55 steps at High Grounds, opposite the Sophia High School, is mostly used by the school students. Ram Singh, a security guard, said it is well lit till 11 p.m. and that police personnel conduct checks regularly.

Children may find the skywalk a piece of cake but not older people, who have to huff and puff while climbing it.

Seshadri Road

Little wonder that his poorly maintained skywalk is largely ignored by pedestrians. College students prefer to cross the road, risking life and limb. L. Mariyappa, a security guard at the V.H.D. Central Institute of Home Sciences, said that anti-social elements gather at the skywalk at night.