Will pedestrians get their footpaths?

GIVE ME MY WAY
Will pedestrians get their footpaths?
Deccan Herald

Deccan Herald’s campaign against footpath encroachment “Give Me My Way” received overwhelming response from readers. Readers came out with suggestions from setting deadlines for laying pathways to the logistics behind their planning, from the technicalities of pavement construction to models being followed in other cities.

We propose to conclude the column today, but the campaign does not end here. It is over to the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike and other authorities concerned to take note of the suggestions and implement them in letter and spirit. It is time pedestrians got back their right over footpaths.

Learn from Goa

We have a lot to learn from a small State like Goa, especially with regard to footpaths. There every road has pavements all along. The pavements are well laid out and even. They are not very high so it makes it very easy to get off and on the pavements.

Even pavement vendors are very few (just a few selling fruits or cashews). Moreover the cleanliness on the pavements as well as on the roads is something we in Bangalore only talk about and never implement. One doesn’t see people littering on the streets, like we see here (even on M G Road). People too need to show civic sense, not in words, but in action. Bangalore is our City. Why can’t all of us do our bit. Stop spitting and littering.

When Goa can do it, why can’t we?

Pramila R

Trees occupying footpath

Kudos to Deccan Herald for highlighting the fundamental right of every pedestrian.

What I have seen of Bangalore’s footpaths really disappoints me. The latest footpath upgradation work is being done using concrete. This comes with a fundamental problem — the width of the footpath is reduced to half its original size. It is incorrect to reduce the width primarily because there are many trees occupying footpath space.

The third issue is our planning for all sections of footpath users, including senior citizens, the disabled and children. Ramps should be provided, but care should be taken that motorists do not misuse these ramps to get on and off the pavements.

Finally, all major intersections seem to ignore the pedestrians who need to cross the road. There are no signals to allow pedestrian crossing. This needs to be addressed.

Madhu Murthy

Illegal parking

The Link Road in Seshadripuram is an important road connecting Malleswaram with Guttahalli main road. After the introduction of one way on this road, the volume of traffic on this stretch has increased enormously. But the condition of this road, particularly the footpaths, is pathetic. The footpaths are not laid properly and construction materials are dumped on the footpath itself. At the end of the Link Road, near Yadhava Smriti, there is no footpath at all.

Due to encroachment and illegal parking, pedestrians are compelled to walk on the road. The same story repeats itself at the Seshadripuram circle too, where vendors are occupying entire footpaths located just 50 metres away from the Seshadripuram police station.

N Subbannan

No pavements

The Kammanahalli Road from Sevanagar flyover to Nilgiris store has no pavements at all, thanks to encroachment by small traders.

The Nehru Road, where the local police station is located, is another mess. The traffic policemen have parked stolen vehicles on the footpath and road. Another problem is that of unauthorised temples and churches. If it is not Anjaneya, it is Mary or Ganesha. Please, we have enough churches, temples and mosques.

Demolish illegal structures and encroachments. BMP should conduct monthly drives to check these problems.

Mathew Kumar