Hanoi pedestrians find underground passages inconvenient

People of Hanoi are indifferent towards underground passages, and drastic measures are needed to encourage people to use them, the e-paper Voice of Vietnam (VOV) reported.

A man sits at the entrance of Nga Tu So underground passage in Hanoi. Photo: The Hanoi Times

According to the VOV website, Hanoi has constructed more than 20 underground passages in the city to help local people cross streets safely without being hit by mobile vehicles.

However, most underground passages are built in the wrong locations, so their use is limited. They are often abandoned and closed, occupied by people for a lunch break, and filled with garbage.

Some pedestrians told VOV that underground passage is not their top choice in road-crossing because it takes them less time to do it on the surface.

The passages are built near traffic lights, so they would rather cross the road at the green light than go underground.

In addition, pedestrians do not feel comfortable travelling underground due to the potential lack of insecurity, as tunnels are relatively safe havens for drug use and social violence.

Expert on transportation Phan Le Binh said that location is decisive for efficiently using the underground passage.

It is helpful to build the underpasses on National Road No. 5, where there have been none so far because there are very few tunnels or bridges to cross along the road, he said.

Meanwhile, there is no need to build underground passages in the urban area as there are traffic lights, Binh said.

"The construction and maintenance of an underpass are comparatively more expensive than a pedestrian overpass," he said. "So the pedestrian overpass should be a better option."

Specialist Nguyen Xuan Thuy said it is okay to build overpasses and underpasses for pedestrians, but the number should be limited.

He said that if the underpass is built in an unoccupied and unpopulated area, it should be closed for better maintenance and protection.

"When the area becomes more developed, the pass can be reopened, given some repairs and put into use," he said.

"There should be sufficient signals in passages located at major intersections to make it easier for people to transit. Janitors should be available around the clock to ensure the quality of lights and sanitation," he said.

"The passage structure should be as simple as possible so that people don't get lost," Thuy urged.

Responding to professional comments, Ta Khanh Ly, one of the janitors who clean and guard the subway passages in the Kim Lien Tunnel area, said the passage is cleaned twice daily.

"We often check the passage, if there is something wrong, we will deal with it immediately," he said.

"Pedestrians are no longer afraid of the passage. The road is much cleaner and brighter."

A detailed map is displayed at the Nga Tu So underground passage in Hanoi. Photo: The Hanoi Times

Her colleague Nguyen Quang Tinh said that he often works with the police officers to wave off anyone that sleeps in the passage.

“Janitors and security guards work three shifts, and we keep patrolling the passage for 24 hours a day. We have a team of three persons for the night shift to take care of it.”

VOV reported that drastic measures taken by the authorities had improved the conditions of the underground passage in the eye of the Hanoians.

According to the website, to make the passage attractive to pedestrians, the authorities need to focus more on communication to encourage people to use the underpass.

More signs should stand out at visible positions with clear, highly understandable messages.

The installation of surveillance cameras is essential to make travelling underground would be safer.

It is even more convenient if the passage has some LED signs, vending machines, communication systems, emergency buttons and others.

Tunnel operators are advised to make the walkway a place worthy of checking in and photographing.

Stairs should be constructed to accommodate the elderly, children, bicyclists, the disabled and strollers.

Underpass development should consider pedestrians as its primary beneficiaries, according to VOV.