New Delhi, Aug. 27 -- A pedestrian in Delhi often encounters almost everything on a footpath except, probably, enough space to walk.

A garbage collection point may occupy part of the walkway, or a public urinal may jut into it. Utility boxes and poles can leave barely enough room to pass, while broken paving, sudden changes in height and uneven surfaces can turn a short walk into an obstacle course.

Acknowledging these difficulties, and in a move to address variations in pavement design, the Delhi public works department (PWD) has constituted a three-member committee to review existing agreements and provisions for footpath repair works and prepare a model tender for future projects. The move follows concerns over non-standard tender sp...