The Thiruvananthapuram Corporation is considering installing escalators at the East Fort foot overbridge in an effort to improve accessibility and encourage more pedestrians to use the elevated crossing.
Despite being located in one of the city’s busiest transport and commercial areas, the existing foot overbridge has reportedly attracted limited regular use. Many pedestrians continue to cross the road at ground level, increasing their exposure to moving traffic.
Proposal Under Preliminary Review
The escalator proposal was discussed during a joint inspection conducted by members of the Corporation’s town planning standing committee and other standing committees. Officials are currently assessing the project’s technical feasibility and financial requirements.
The Corporation believes that replacing or supplementing the conventional stairway approach with escalators could make the bridge more convenient, particularly for senior citizens and people who find climbing stairs difficult.
The East Fort foot overbridge already has elevators intended to support elderly passengers and persons with disabilities. However, the lifts and the bridge itself have received limited patronage, according to civic officials. The proposed escalators are expected to provide a more visible and convenient option for pedestrians moving through the area. The Times of India
Assistance for Escalator Users Considered
Officials have also identified hesitation among some pedestrians who may be unfamiliar with escalators or concerned about using them safely. To address this, the Corporation is reportedly considering deploying trained personnel or security staff near the escalators, particularly during the initial period of operation.
These personnel could assist first-time users and help ensure orderly and safe movement during busy hours.
Improving Use of Existing Pedestrian Infrastructure
The proposal reflects a wider challenge faced by urban authorities when encouraging pedestrians to use foot overbridges. While such structures separate pedestrians from road traffic, long stairways, indirect access and additional walking distances can discourage their use.
The East Fort skywalk is approximately 104 metres long and was developed to provide safer pedestrian movement across the congested area. However, concerns over low usage have persisted since it opened. Similar usage issues have also been reported at foot overbridges in Pattom and Cotton Hill. The New Indian Express
East Fort serves as an important transport hub and provides access to bus services, markets, places of worship and other commercial destinations. The high volume of pedestrians and vehicles makes safe road crossing infrastructure particularly important in the area.
Medical College Junction Also Under Consideration
Alongside the East Fort upgrade, the Corporation is examining a proposal for a new escalator-equipped foot overbridge at Medical College Junction. The location experiences heavy pedestrian movement and traffic congestion, creating a need for safer crossing facilities.
Both proposals remain at a preliminary stage. Details concerning project costs, implementation schedules, escalator specifications and maintenance responsibilities have not yet been announced.
If approved and supported by reliable operations and maintenance, the East Fort escalator project could help make the existing foot overbridge more practical for daily commuters while strengthening pedestrian safety in one of Thiruvananthapuram’s busiest areas.