NEW DELHI: There were tall claims regarding the need for a skywalk at ITO , with PWD estimating the number of users of such a facility at 30,000 daily. A recent survey has shown that the figure was wildly exaggerated and only around half that number actually negotiates the busy intersection on the white helix structure.The survey, conducted by PWD between January 17 and February 2, revealed that over 30% of the respondents felt crossing the road required less effort and 20% were deterred by the skywalk’s lengthy course and the inconvenient location of the touchdown points. The survey also established that only 41% of the expected number used the pedestrian bridge near Hans Bhawan, a part of the same project.The reluctance to use the skywalk was corroborated when TOI spoke to people there. Engineer Vishal Kumar, for instance, said, “The skywalk is really long. Why wouldn’t I cross the road instead? I have been doing it for a very long time and have never had an accident.” Chander Pal, an elderly man, first crossed the road instead of taking the bridge when he found the elevator was not functioning. “The next day, I hoped the elevator was working, but it wasn’t. So I stopped trying to use the skywalk.”People are not warming up to the Rs 55-crore skywalk due to other reasons too. PWD’s own survey says half the respondents declared that it required less effort to cross the road than climbing up to the bridge and 20% were certain that reaching the other side of the road took less time if you risked the traffic movement. If 15% complained of distant exits, many were not even aware of the entry and exit points.“If I’m in a hurry and if at all I get to the skywalk, I am certain to miss my bus if I walk its entire length,” said Vandana, a student, while Prerna Raghav said she couldn’t use it because she had medical conditions. Their plowing into traffic leaves motorists frustrated at having to drive with a foot on the brake pedal. PWD officials said they were considering appointing people to raise awareness about the safety that the skywalk offers. They were also thinking of erecting railings on the central verge. The officials said there was also a plan to install coloured guidelines and signage on footpaths and nearby buildings to guide the pedestrians.“Awareness about road hazards is necessary, and this can be achieved through special campaigns with help of the traffic police and NGOs,” an official said optimistically.

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