Bengaluru: The city’s footpaths have once again come under scrutiny, with residents and civic groups raising concerns over their deteriorating condition, encroachments, and misuse by two-wheelers.
A recent video shared by Harish Bijoor highlighted the poor state of a footpath along Old Madras Road. The footage showed dug-up stretches, missing slabs, and uneven surfaces, making it unsafe for pedestrians.
“Pedestrian safety in Bengaluru is taken for granted. Across the city, footpaths are either broken or misused. Even where they are in good condition, two-wheelers are parked or driven on them,” Bijoor said.
Civic bodies questioned over inaction
Bijoor questioned the effectiveness of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), asking why such issues persist despite institutional mechanisms.
He called for strict enforcement measures, including zero tolerance for riding scooters on footpaths, adding that pedestrians often face hostility when they confront violators.
Citizen-led audit highlights widespread issues
The Bengaluru NavaNirmana Party (BNP) has initiated a citizen-led audit of footpaths across multiple wards in the city.
Party founder Srikanth Narasimhan said the findings so far reveal widespread problems, including garbage accumulation, vendor encroachments, and inadequate infrastructure.
“Most footpaths are unwalkable. They have become useful for everything except walking,” he said, emphasising the need for designated vending zones to balance the needs of vendors and pedestrians.
Garbage and encroachment issues persist
Residents have also reported garbage piling up on footpaths in areas such as Prestige Shanthiniketan, further reducing usable walking space.
Encroachments by street vendors and illegal parking have compounded the issue, forcing pedestrians onto busy roads and increasing the risk of accidents.
Police step up enforcement
On the issue of two-wheelers using footpaths, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Karthik Reddy said that enforcement drives had been carried out over the past two months.
He noted that while action is being taken against violators, e-bikes—often used by gig workers—pose a unique challenge as they do not fall under the Motor Vehicles Act.
Authorities are now focusing on training gig workers to follow traffic rules and ensure safer road usage.
Growing concern over pedestrian safety
Urban planners and citizen groups have long argued that pedestrian infrastructure in Bengaluru has been neglected despite rapid urban growth. Poorly maintained footpaths, lack of continuity, and encroachments have made walking increasingly difficult and unsafe.
The issue also highlights broader challenges in urban governance, including coordination between civic agencies and enforcement bodies.
Conclusion
The renewed focus on Bengaluru’s footpaths underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms, stricter enforcement, and better urban planning. With citizen groups stepping in to document issues, authorities are under increasing pressure to restore footpaths to their primary purpose—safe and accessible movement for pedestrians.