The foot overbridge at Tehsil Chowk is proving to be a failure, according to many, though there are some who praise the initiative as a good one.
It was inaugurated by the CM Harish Rawat on July 13 where he said it was meant to mitigate the hardships the people faced while crossing the road amidst heavy traffic.
When asked whether the foot over bridge is helping her, a girl, found crossing the road, said curtly, "I'll anytime prefer to cross the road this way than use the foot over bridge. It takes a long time and I don't have much of time for that."
Ganesh, the guard, sitting on the one of the openings of the footbridge, said, "It remains open from 8 am to 8 pm, a time when the traffic is usually heavy. The people are free to use the lift when there is no blind or handicapped person to avail the facility."
Abha Mishra, resident of Vishnupuram, said, "I have no idea when it opens and is closed. I would opt for crossing the road in the same old manner as I have been doing it since childhood." Asked whether the public money used for the bridge has gone down the drain, she said, "It is not the case. But the Government need to do more to make the people use the bridge."
The girls and the women are shunning it as, being deserted, it is deemed unsafe for them, says Vinesh, a shopkeeper, trading from a place just next to the bridge.
Pankaj, who was found ascending the stairs of the foot over bridge along with his mother, said it was a good initiative. "It is convenient for me as I have to ensure the safety of my mother. People should use it more often because it is safe and secure. Also the Government should raise awareness about it," he said.