For the residents of Kaniminike village and students in the area, crossing the Bengaluru-Mysuru access-controlled expressway has become a daily exercise in survival. This stretch, notorious for weekly accidents, lacks essential pedestrian infrastructure like a foot overbridge (FOB) or underpass, forcing people to navigate through high-speed traffic at great risk.
A Perilous Daily Routine
Local shopkeeper Mariamma (name changed) describes the terrifying reality: "We witness near-misses right outside our shop almost daily. Over the past four years, numerous fatalities have occurred while attempting to cross this road, and tragically, this has become normalized. What we desperately need is a proper crossing facility—this is fundamentally about saving human lives."
Stalled Progress on Promised Infrastructure
Eleven months ago, hope emerged when excavation work began for a much-needed foot overbridge. However, that optimism has faded as construction remains stalled despite some recent concrete-pouring activity. Residents report that visible progress has completely frozen, leaving them in continued danger.
Vinod Pal, a 41-year-old Kaniminike village resident, emphasizes the escalating risk: "Crossing has become extremely hazardous, particularly during peak traffic hours when vehicle speeds are highest."
Student Experiences Highlight Systemic Failure
Harsha V, a 25-year-old former student of Christ (deemed-to-be University)'s Kengeri campus, recalls his four years in the area with disturbing clarity: "Accidents were nearly a daily occurrence. I witnessed serious injuries and fatalities regularly. The situation became so dangerous that I purchased a motorcycle specifically to avoid having to cross the road on foot."
Formal Appeals for Urgent Action
Residents' associations have escalated the matter through official channels, emphasizing the critical need for improved connectivity and pedestrian safety measures. The BDA Kaniminike Housing Project Residents' Association (Phase 4) has formally written to the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), demanding immediate construction of long-promised approach roads and proper pedestrian infrastructure.
Their letter highlights that over 1,000 flats have been completed in the area, but inadequate road access is deterring potential buyers and compromising emergency service responses. They detail how current options—either a narrow 1.5-kilometer service road through a poorly illuminated railway underpass or a lengthy 4.5-kilometer detour via Hejjala-Judicial Layout—are both unsafe and impractical for daily commuters.
Broader Safety Concerns in the Region
The association has also raised similar safety issues near the Challaghatta Metro station, where the absence of a skywalk or underpass forces pedestrians to risk their lives crossing busy roads. Their demands include better road infrastructure, improved street lighting, speed-calming measures, and urgent completion of the stalled foot overbridge to ensure comprehensive pedestrian safety.
Official Response and Continuing Delays
One resident wrote to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in December 2025 regarding the foot overbridge and received a response indicating completion by March 2026. The reply stated: "...progress of the FOB work was temporarily affected by obstructions caused by existing electrical utilities and local shopkeepers. Currently, foundation work on the left-hand side has been partially completed, while work on the right-hand side is in progress."
Despite multiple attempts to seek clarification, NHAI officials have not responded to further inquiries about the project's status and timeline. This communication gap adds to residents' frustration as they continue navigating one of Bengaluru's most dangerous pedestrian crossings daily.
