The East Zone of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has identified Outer Ring Road (ORR), Old Madras Road, and Sarjapur Road for a comprehensive footpath clearance drive. The initiative follows a directive from Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda to make footpaths safe and obstruction-free for pedestrians.
Meeting Sets Action Plan
On Friday, the East Zone corporation commissioner convened a detailed meeting with officials from the traffic police, civic agencies, and ward committees. The commissioner outlined a phased approach to remove encroachments, parked vehicles, and debris from footpaths along the three major arterial roads. The drive aims to restore pedestrian right-of-way and improve walkability in these congested corridors.
According to the commissioner, the clearance will begin on ORR from Marathahalli to Silk Board, followed by Old Madras Road from KR Puram to Indiranagar, and Sarjapur Road from Wipro Junction to Carmelaram. Each stretch will be cleared within a week, with daily monitoring reports submitted to the minister's office.
Focus on Pedestrian Safety
Minister Krishna Byre Gowda had earlier instructed all eight BBMP zones to prioritize footpath clearance after multiple complaints about broken tiles, illegal hawking, and vehicles blocking pathways. The East Zone's decision to target these three roads is based on high pedestrian footfall and frequent accidents reported in these areas.
“Footpaths must be safe for everyone, especially children and the elderly. We are committed to removing all obstructions and ensuring a smooth walking experience,” said the commissioner, quoting the minister's instructions.
Implementation Details
The corporation will deploy two teams per road: one for removing physical obstructions like concrete blocks, hoardings, and parked two-wheelers, and another for repairing damaged tiles and laying tactile paving for the visually impaired. The traffic police will assist in towing illegally parked vehicles and issuing fines to repeat offenders.
Residents and local traders have been given a 48-hour notice to remove personal belongings from footpaths. After that, the corporation will confiscate any remaining items. The drive will also address encroachments by street vendors, who will be relocated to designated vending zones identified by the ward committees.
“We have already identified alternative vending locations near KR Puram market and Sarjapur bus stand. Vendors will be shifted there to avoid loss of livelihood,” the commissioner added.
Long-Term Maintenance Plan
To prevent re-encroachment, the East Zone plans to install bollards and signage at key points, and deploy marshals for regular patrolling. A dedicated helpline number will be set up for residents to report obstructions. The corporation also aims to complete the drive on all three roads within three weeks, with a review meeting scheduled for mid-July.
The initiative is part of a broader city-wide footpath improvement project under the Smart City Mission, which includes 50 km of footpath upgrades in the East Zone alone. The total cost for repairs and maintenance in this zone is estimated at ₹2.5 crore, funded through the BBMP's annual infrastructure budget.
