Kolkata’s central business districts are witnessing renewed scrutiny over footpath safety after several key pedestrian corridors across the city were found damaged, unfinished, or obstructed for extended periods, forcing people to step onto busy carriageways. The situation is particularly visible along Park Street, Lenin Sarani and Central Avenue, three high-traffic stretches that support thousands of office workers, students and visitors each day.
Municipal authorities have acknowledged the issue and indicated that repair work will be taken up urgently, but the current condition of pavements highlights broader challenges in maintaining pedestrian infrastructure in one of India’s most densely used urban cores. Along Park Street, a popular commercial corridor known for its restaurants, educational institutions and nightlife economy, ongoing underground utility work has left parts of the pavement dug up for several weeks. The excavation relates to the restoration of a water supply pipeline beneath the walkway. However, several sections remain open, uneven or partially barricaded, leaving pedestrians to navigate narrow strips of walkable space.
Urban mobility experts note that footpath safety is particularly critical in such mixed-use districts where large numbers of people travel on foot between transit stations, offices and commercial establishments. Inadequate lighting, exposed construction zones and temporary surfaces can significantly increase accident risks, especially during evening hours. Similar conditions have been observed at the junction of Lenin Sarani and Madan Street, where paving blocks were removed during repair work but have yet to be reinstated. In the absence of a stable walking surface, pedestrians are reportedly forced to traverse loose sand layers or move onto the road, where heavy vehicular movement already creates congestion. Further north, near a busy Metro station exit at Chandni Chowk, pavement reconstruction remains incomplete despite concrete work being undertaken days earlier. Without the reinstatement of paver blocks that form the final walking layer, the walkway remains unusable for many pedestrians. The situation is also visible outside another Metro station along Central Avenue, where a long stretch of uneven pavement and dislodged paver blocks has left the walking surface difficult to navigate.
In areas where pavement disruption coincides with high commuter volumes, many people have chosen to avoid the walkway entirely. Urban planners say such conditions expose a structural gap in how Indian cities manage pedestrian infrastructure during utility works. While roads are often prioritised for quick restoration due to traffic pressure, footpaths despite carrying substantial daily footfall frequently remain unfinished for longer periods. For Kolkata, a city where walking remains one of the most widely used modes of daily mobility, improving footpath safety is increasingly linked to broader goals of inclusive urban design and sustainable transport. Well-maintained walkways support safer access to public transit, reduce short vehicle trips and improve accessibility for elderly residents, children and people with disabilities. Municipal officials say they are reviewing the affected locations and plan to accelerate restoration. The coming weeks will likely determine whether the city can close the gap between infrastructure maintenance and the needs of the millions who navigate its streets on foot every day.
