Sir,
State capital Bhubaneswar’s footpaths for pedestrians have been largely encroached. Those that exist are in a deplorable condition. All kinds of hawkers selling alu muri to momos jam on the roadsides day or evening. It is also remarkable that the width of existing footpaths is so narrow that it is difficult even for a single person to walk on. Entrance to the Apollo Hospital is the best example.
Footpaths in front of the hospital gate are crowded by fruit, fast food and pan vendors. The food sold outside the hospital is horrible.
The Government has no concern about the health of its citizens. Apart from enlarged footpaths, what Bhubaneswar needs is spacious space earmarked for parking as illegal parking by roadside creates a lot of troubles. Paucity of public toilets is also a cause of concern. This may defeat the mission to make the city open defecation free. It requires a lot of imagination to manage the present problems.
K Ravi, E-237,GGP Colony, Bhubaneswar, M-9437616497