Footpath encroachments: Blame game on

Footpath encroachments: Blame game on
New INdian Express

BANGALORE: EVEN as encroachment by traders on the city roads remains unchecked, it seems that pedestrians are at the receiving end of a blame game between the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) and the traffic police.

While they agree that the encroachments have to be cleared, both complain that they are getting no help from the other. On several roads in the city, traders put out their wares on the footpaths leaving no room for pedestrians and forcing them to walk on the carriageway. The authorities occasionally conduct raids to evict the illegal occupants, but they always seem to return.

When contacted, Additional Commissioner (Traffic) M N Reddi said that the police would take action, but he pointed out that assistance from the BMP was minimal, though the footpaths belonged to them. He said that police were also thinking of enforcing new parameters on shopkeepers in order to stop them from encroaching footpaths.

“We will mark the roads, distinguishing the pavement areas and areas for shopkeepers. This will ease the pedestrians’ problems. If there are complaints still, we will enforce legal action,” he said.

On the other hand, Mayor Mumtaz Begum says that it is the duty of the police to keep the footpaths clear. “Footpath encroachments should be cleared as overcrowding could lead to accidents. It is the duty of the traffic police to take action against them. All the footpaths in the city should be free from commercial activities,” she said.

However, the Mayor said that she was not keen on ‘forceful’ action, but said that action was necessary. It seems that pedestrians are left to fend for themselves as the authorities pass the buck to each other.