“Inconvenience today for a better tomorrow” — this bold tagline is painted across the pathway barricades. Better tomorrow? Perhaps. But the inconvenience today is painfully clear in the daily struggles of thousands of pedestrians who walk through these routes.

The passageways are narrow, poorly lit, uneven, foul-smelling, and unsafe even during the daytime. Many are barely a metre wide, shut in on both sides, and filled with blind turns that catch people off guard.

Though a large budget has been allocated for the ongoing transport expansion project, a portion of which was used to create these pedestrian corridors at dozens of locations, many stretches hardly reflect meaningful investment. Authorities describe these pathways as “temporary,” yet they have existed for nearly two years and are expected to remain for at least two more.

The assurance that these corridors will be removed only after the full completion of the project brings little comfort to daily users. “The idea of using this path for three more years—dealing with dark corners and unruly individuals—terrifies me,” said a nurse who walks through a stretch that even has a liquor outlet right at its entrance.

A visit to multiple locations revealed a range of issues: narrow lanes, blocked access for shops and clinics, blind curves, unpleasant smells, poor lighting, and a general sense of insecurity. In several places, local establishments have had to put up their own signs because the barricades cut off easy access.

When concerns were raised, senior project heads said each walkway had unique challenges that required site-specific solutions and that field teams would examine them. Officials also acknowledged that there is no dedicated manual for designing safe pedestrian infrastructure at construction zones.

Urban mobility experts recommend transparent or open-style barriers instead of opaque barricades, arguing that visibility alone can significantly increase the sense of safety, especially for women.

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