Bengaluru's Spare Parts Road: Broken Footpaths Pose Safety Hazard for Shoppers
In the bustling commercial hub of Bengaluru, a short walk along Silver Jubilee Park Road near KR Market has transformed into a treacherous obstacle course. Shoppers and residents are forced to navigate past broken slabs, gaping open drains, and dark, uneven patches, months after pipeline works were completed. This critical infrastructure failure is creating significant safety risks and disrupting daily life in one of the city's busiest areas.
Months of Neglect Following Pipeline Installation
From late October to early November 2025, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) undertook extensive digging operations to lay 900mm sewage pipes and conduct desilting work. Nearly three months later, the footpaths remain completely unrestored. A recent survey from the KR Market bus stop to Town Hall revealed at least seven hazardous spots where pedestrians are compelled to walk on the main road, exposing them to traffic dangers.
SJP Road, home to over 2,000 shops and popularly known as Spare Parts Road, continues to suffer from these damaged pathways. The situation has persisted despite repeated complaints from local merchants and residents, highlighting systemic gaps in urban administration and maintenance protocols.
Personal Injuries and Business Disruptions
The dangerous conditions have led to direct personal harm. Ravindra, a local shopkeeper, shared his traumatic experience: "I fell into an open drain recently and had to visit the hospital daily for a week for wound dressing. This is the alarming reality we face daily, and without immediate repairs, another victim is inevitable."
Business operations have been severely impacted. Amit B, a welding equipment trader with two decades of experience, reported significant staff attrition due to the unsafe environment. "Previously, I employed ten staff members, including six women. Now, only three women remain as many left their jobs because of these hazardous conditions. We have filed numerous complaints and met officials repeatedly, but departments consistently pass responsibility or cite funding shortages. After years of chasing this issue, I have lost all patience and given up," he explained.
Ali Asgar Gheewala, a 42-year-old hardware store owner whose family has traded here for fifty years, highlighted logistical challenges: "We handle bulky goods requiring large vehicles, but without proper access paths, dispatches are constantly delayed and customer footfall has dropped dramatically."
Association Voices Concerns Over Safety and Cleanliness
Rahul B Goyal, Vice President of the Karnataka Hardware & Allied Merchants Association, emphasized broader safety issues: "Numerous two-wheeler accidents occur due to skidding on uneven surfaces. Laborers struggle to transport materials via pushcarts to the main road because auto tempos and transport aggregators refuse to enter the area due to the poor conditions."
Goyal also pointed to environmental and cleanliness concerns: "The ongoing disrepair has generated excessive dust, along with debris and rubbish scattered everywhere. It would be immensely beneficial if authorities simply applied cement to the dug-up portions and implemented mechanized sweeping combined with door-to-door waste collection in this locality."
Official Response and Accountability
A senior official from the Bengaluru Central City Corporation provided some context: "The BWSSB required approximately one month to repair the pipes and resolve the sewage-leakage problem. Initial delays were compounded by the administrative split into five corporations. We are actively working on this issue and aim to complete restoration efforts soon."
However, this assurance offers little comfort to those navigating daily hazards. The situation on Silver Jubilee Park Road underscores a critical need for coordinated civic action, timely infrastructure restoration, and greater accountability in urban governance to protect public safety and support local commerce.
