Bengaluru: Residents across Bengaluru are facing growing difficulties as footpaths vanish under encroachments by eateries, vendors, and parked vehicles, forcing pedestrians onto busy roads. From Jayanagar to Indiranagar, makeshift food stalls, carts, and commercial establishments are increasingly occupying walking spaces, raising safety concerns for senior citizens and daily commuters.

Footpaths overtaken by eateries and vendors

In Jayanagar 9th Block, 70-year-old Mrityunjayappa starts his day by walking on the road because the footpaths are dominated by makeshift eateries, food trucks, and cart vendors. Darshinis and cafés often set up standing tables or convert footpaths into serving areas, saving on rent but leaving little space for pedestrians.

Residents complain regularly, but the situation has seen minimal improvement. Many allege that some eateries continue operations by bribing officials, creating uneven enforcement. Once pedestrian-friendly, footpaths in Jayanagar now serve more as extensions of commercial establishments than as walkways.

Specific trouble spots

  • Jayanagar 4th T Block, 33rd Cross Road: Footpaths outside several jewellery shops are used for vehicle parking. Activist Vinay Srinivas observed that authorities tend to act against powerless street vendors while sparing restaurants. “Even if action is taken, it remains temporary,” he said.
  • Banashankari II Stage, 27th Cross: Food trucks and fruit vendors block entire stretches, forcing pedestrians onto the road. A residents’ welfare association president explained, “Vendors scatter belongings across footpaths, spilling onto the road. It creates traffic jams and unsafe conditions for pedestrians and drivers alike.” The area connects key points in south and east Bengaluru and hosts two hospitals, two hotels, and a tech park, further compounding congestion.
  • Indiranagar: Footpaths here are regularly converted into parking spaces by eateries and their patrons. Bike showrooms also display vehicles on the walkways. Activist Snehal Nandihal said, “Footpaths are always an issue in Indiranagar. They are either encroached, dug up by civic authorities, or missing. We have lodged several complaints against the eateries here.”

Consequences and civic challenges

Encroachments have worsened Bengaluru’s traffic woes. Parked vehicles and permanent or semi-permanent stalls reduce roads to single-lane flows, heightening accident risks. Some vendors chain their carts to footpaths and abandon them for months, making enforcement even more difficult.

Civic authorities and traffic police continue to trade blame. While the police say encroachments affect traffic flow, they point to the civic body for enforcement. Conversely, the civic authorities claim that traffic management falls under the police’s jurisdiction. The lack of coordinated action leaves residents frustrated and at risk, especially senior citizens like Mrityunjayappa who cannot navigate the road safely.

Conclusion

Bengaluru’s footpaths, once intended as safe pedestrian spaces, are increasingly under threat from commercial encroachments. Without stricter enforcement and coordination between civic authorities and traffic police, residents may continue to face unsafe walking conditions in multiple city areas. The rising dominance of eateries and vendors on pavements highlights the urgent need for city-wide pedestrian rights enforcement.