(Top) Pedestrians cross the road through the median, and (above) the subway wears a deserted look. Pictures by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Jan. 11: The capital city’s only subway connecting busy market areas of Unit-I and Unit-II has few takers sespite being built to facilitate pedestrians in crossing roads safely.

Pedestrians and cyclists prefer crossing over from one side to the other through the median in front of State Bank of India on the road stretching from Raj Mahal Square to A.G. Square.

People coming from Raj Mahal Square side say they indulge in this risky affair because they find crossing through this opening more convenient than walking all the way down to the subway, which is closer to A.G. Square.

“Why should I take the trouble of walking all the way down when I can get to the other side simply by crossing the road? I agree it is very dangerous. What we really need is a zebra crossing to minimise the rate of accidents,” said Madhumita Patnaik, lecturer of Kamala Nehru Women’s College.

“The concept of a subway has not gained much popularity here. People mostly use the subway as a shelter during the rainy season. Other than shoppers, I don’t think there are many who use the underground way. Most of the pedestrians are busy and impatient. Hence, no one really minds taking the risk of crossing the road through the median,” said Suresh Mohapatra, a bank officer.

“During summers, people usually avoid using the subway. After dusk, in case of a power cut, this place becomes pitch dark and affects business of the shop-owners inside it. Moreover, there is no toilet facility,” said Sujit Kumar Das, one of the shop-owners.

Ranjit Sahu, executive engineer of roads and buildings (Division–II), under whose supervision the subway had been built, said: “It is open for public use but we cannot force them to use it. The number of people using the subway varies from day to day. I am not sure about the exact figures.”