For long an activity taken for granted, the annual maintenance of footpaths, particularly those that run along the main roads and crowded parts of the hill station has for over a decade been conspicuous by its absence.
Consequently some of the footpaths have been damaged so much that they now pose a serious threat to pedestrians.
Speaking to The Hindu , people representing a cross section of the society hoped that the civic authorities would wake up before something serious happens.
Pointing out that the footpath in front of the Udhagamandalam Municipal Market is one of the most damaged, the Chief Porter of the area M.Rajendran said that it had developed gaping holes.
He added, “I have personally rescued two persons who had fallen through the holes.”
Stating that the footpath had been laid several decades ago, he said that it had been designed to cover a storm water drain.
He regretted that now a mixture of sewage and storm water ran through the drain and the cement slabs which formed part of the foot path were threatening to cave in.
Several representations made by people notwithstanding, neither the authorities nor the traders were viewing the situation with the seriousness it deserves.
A vegetable vendor said that a couple of days ago he had fallen into one of the holes and suffered a gash.
Regular users lamented that on the one hand many of the footpaths were damaged and on the other those which were in a reasonably good condition were being misused.
The Nilgiris Chamber of Commerce and Industry has also expressed serious concern over the growing misuse of footpaths in this holiday destination which attracts about 22 to 23 lakh tourists every year.
At its annual general body meeting held earlier this year, the Chamber resolved to urge the civic administration and others concerned to ensure that the footpaths are kept free of encroachments so that the pedestrians are not forced to walk on the roads.
Unfortunately, the sorry state of affairs continues. Observers pointed out that the deplorable condition of footpaths was high on the list of shortcomings pointed out by tourists every summer.
It reflected a lack of concern on the part of the municipality for the pedestrians.
When asked why the footpaths were not being repaired and maintained properly, Municipal Commissioner K.Sivakumar said that till now funds have not been sought exclusively for maintenance of footpaths.
He promised that henceforth they would be accorded priority.
