Vijayawada: 88% Footpaths Vanish, Pedestrian Deaths Soar

• Vijayawada city lacks footpaths on 88% of its major road network, forcing pedestrians onto busy roads.
• Only 6.41 km of footpaths exist out of 58.4 km of major roads, with many encroached or too narrow.
• Pedestrian deaths are rising: 115 in 2024 (from 112 accidents) and 106 in 2025 (from 104 accidents).
• Lack of pelican signals and visible zebra crossings contributes to high accident rates, especially in West, Central, and South zones.
• Activists demand removal of encroachments, construction of 1.5-meter wide footpaths, and proper signaling systems for pedestrian safety.

Why It Matters: Vijayawada faces a severe pedestrian safety crisis due to vanishing footpaths and inadequate infrastructure.