Women pedestrians suffer in silence. 

​Hyderabad: Sheer negligence on the part of GHMC officials in providing basic amenities for a smooth walk on the city roads has been forcing women and children to undergo severe moments of stress every day.

Women, including students, old-aged and the working class, continue to suffer in silence due to lack of footpaths on several major stretches.

Women pedestrians claim that walking on roads and crossing them is a nightmarish experience as there is not a single footpath that matches the specifications mandated by the Indian Road Congress (IRS).

Several women claimed that they are forced to depend either on their family members or fellow pedestrians in order to cross a road at busy stretches across the city.

A Sarvani, a working woman said, “I am afraid to walk on the road as erratic driving by bikers frightens me. I am also very apprehensive to cross a road as none of the vehicles slow down despite giving an indication.

Even though there are pedestrian crossings at some places, none of motorists slow down theri vehicles near them. Instead, they wait on the pedestrian crossings for the signal to turn green,” she said.

K Tulasi, an engineering graduate, said crossing the road to reach college in Secunderabad was indeed a major hurdle for her everyday since the bus stop is across the road.

“I would usually wait for a group of people to mingle and walk my way across the road,” she said.

Kanthimati Kannan, founder president of Right to Walk Foundation questioned, “How is women empowerment possible if the civic body does not respect pedestrians and their rights?” She asserted that the severity of the situation can be understood only when public representatives cross the road without their security.”