Delhi: FOB there, but blind students still helpless
Pankhuri Yadav | TNN | Updated: Apr 7, 2019, 05:28 IST
Visually impaired students walk every day to their institution near the Oberoi hotel, and the foot overbridge ... Read MoreNEW DELHI: “We were promised a foot bridge that would make life simpler for us but all we got is a structure of little use to us,” exclaimed a student of the Blind Relief Association who struggles every day to cross Lala Lajpat Rai Marg to catch a bus or get to his school. The main reason why the bridge is useless for the visually impaired is the missing elevator.
Three months after TOI reported that the newly constructed pedestrian bridge near Oberoi hotel was no good for the blind students, it still is not usable. “We are not being unreasonable when requesting an elevator. This is a necessity, not an extra facility,” said Saddam Hussaini. “We cannot see anything and have trouble climbing stairs. So how is the bridge helping us?”
Hussaini claimed to have been admitted to hospital several times after being injured while crossing the road. Others too say they have been hit by vehicles on the stretch.
“Since nothing can be done it, the authorities should at least create a cemented pavement along the main road so we don’t bump into obstacles and parked vehicles,” a student said.
Visually impaired students walk every day to the overbridge just ahead of the Oberoi, and the bridge was meant to lessen the risks they faced on the busy road leading to their institutions. “We can’t do much other than voice our needs, but since there are no provisions made for us, we are forced to brave the traffic on the busy intersection,” rued Mahesh Kumar Singh.
The problem, as another student, Naveen, points out, is that they arrive at and leave the Blind Association when the traffic builds up to the morning and evening peaks. Singh added, “No car driver gives a damn about us. There’s little that has been done to help us. The authorities should think of how to ease things for us, not how to make things more difficult.”
Accidents are not the only reasons why the students wish for an elevator there. Ongoing construction near the hotel, cars parked there and a crumbly footpath punctuated by trees force the blind to seek help of passersby.
But this can be unsafe. “People approach us, offering help to cross the road, and then steal our phones and run away, leaving us stranded in the middle of the road,” claimed Naveen.
On the 300 metres to the institution, there are two construction sites as well as the entrance to the Oberoi, from where cars keep going in and out.
These are not the only hurdles. The road too is riddled with potholes. PWD officials did not offer a comment on these issues.
Three months after TOI reported that the newly constructed pedestrian bridge near Oberoi hotel was no good for the blind students, it still is not usable. “We are not being unreasonable when requesting an elevator. This is a necessity, not an extra facility,” said Saddam Hussaini. “We cannot see anything and have trouble climbing stairs. So how is the bridge helping us?”
Hussaini claimed to have been admitted to hospital several times after being injured while crossing the road. Others too say they have been hit by vehicles on the stretch.
“Since nothing can be done it, the authorities should at least create a cemented pavement along the main road so we don’t bump into obstacles and parked vehicles,” a student said.
Visually impaired students walk every day to the overbridge just ahead of the Oberoi, and the bridge was meant to lessen the risks they faced on the busy road leading to their institutions. “We can’t do much other than voice our needs, but since there are no provisions made for us, we are forced to brave the traffic on the busy intersection,” rued Mahesh Kumar Singh.
The problem, as another student, Naveen, points out, is that they arrive at and leave the Blind Association when the traffic builds up to the morning and evening peaks. Singh added, “No car driver gives a damn about us. There’s little that has been done to help us. The authorities should think of how to ease things for us, not how to make things more difficult.”
Accidents are not the only reasons why the students wish for an elevator there. Ongoing construction near the hotel, cars parked there and a crumbly footpath punctuated by trees force the blind to seek help of passersby.
But this can be unsafe. “People approach us, offering help to cross the road, and then steal our phones and run away, leaving us stranded in the middle of the road,” claimed Naveen.
On the 300 metres to the institution, there are two construction sites as well as the entrance to the Oberoi, from where cars keep going in and out.
These are not the only hurdles. The road too is riddled with potholes. PWD officials did not offer a comment on these issues.
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