Respecting public infra is every citizen’s duty

Representational Image

A sliver of road connecting Colaba with Cuffe Parade has got a recent facelift, as reported by this paper. The little lane, which links two areas and is a walkway for pedestrians, has been cleaned up and re-surfaced. It has ornate street lamps. These lamps are also seen at several places in the city, they are designed in such a way that they give a distinct European flavour and feel to the space. There is wall art on both sides that lends aesthetic appeal to the pedestrian walkway. Our report with pictures also illustrated how both ends of this lane have a maze-like gate. This is to keep out bicycles and bikes from trespassing on the space which is for feet only.

While one lane may not seem much in an area and a city beset by infrastructure problems, even that small space and report holds some lessons for us citizens.

Every people's representative said that it is important that people get involved when trying to change their area.

People power is a real thing, but this is not an easy path. Yet if more people get involved, this may be the push that one needs to get the wheels turning. The space must be maintained not only by leaders but also by locals who need to keep it clean. Defiling and dirtying means so much good work going down the drain. Well-lit spaces spell safety, and this applies to infra across the city; bright lights should be non-negotiable. Such spaces are for pedestrians and make the city more walkable.

Critics carp and snort about a little place but take pride in small things. That's the song of the little road - like master Satyajit Ray's Pather Panchali says.