Sun Jan 12 13:02:38 UTC 2025: ## Udhagamandalam’s Ettines Road: A Perilous Path for Pedestrians
**UDHAGAMANDALAM, January 12, 2025** – Ettines Road in Udhagamandalam, a major thoroughfare connecting key junctions and tourist attractions, has become a dangerous obstacle course for pedestrians. Broken barricades, encroaching vehicles, and temporary shops have completely overtaken the sidewalks, leaving pedestrians and vehicles vying for space on the narrow road.
Residents express serious concerns about the lack of pedestrian infrastructure, citing increased traffic congestion as a direct consequence. The relocation of a section of the Ooty Market to the ATC junction has further exacerbated the problem. Many who previously walked to the market now require vehicles, adding to the already heavy traffic. R. Moorthy, a Fern Hill resident, noted that the Main Bazaar and Commercial Roads, being more pedestrian-friendly, previously allowed locals to walk to the market, avoiding peak tourist season congestion. This is no longer feasible due to the hazardous conditions on Ettines Road.
The stretch of Ettines Road from the bus stop to BS Hospital is particularly perilous, lacking pedestrian walkways and streetlights, according to local consumer awareness activists. They propose constructing sidewalks and clearing the footpath around the Ooty Race Course as solutions to improve pedestrian safety and alleviate traffic congestion. The situation highlights an urgent need for improved infrastructure and pedestrian safety measures on this crucial Udhagamandalam roadway.
First Piper 