Thankfully, the condition of the footpath in Kempegowda Road, which is popularly known as K G Road, is better, compared to the other footpaths in the city. But the pedestrians here still complain about the unevenness of the footpaths and also about the encroachment by the hawkers and vendors. Though the footpaths on either side of the road are laid with red stones and grilled thus not allowing motorists ride on them, they are encroached especially near the Mysore Bank Bus stand.
Hawkers selling books are spread across the wide footpath. Speaking about the inconvenience they cause, Sri Latha Ramanujam, a regular commuter from Padmanabhanagar to Mysore Bank said, “This has become a nuisance everyday. Pedestrians do not have footpath to walk here. Instead, we are forced to walk on roads, which is dangerous as the buses stop here.”
Besides, the Santhosh and Sagar theatres also cause problems with movie lovers waiting on the footpath to buy the tickets. “We cannot walk on the road as there is high vehicular movement. Hence, we are left we with no option but to wait until the crowd gives us space to walk,” said Samanvitha Suresh, a student of Central College.
The encroachment of footpath vendors opposite UCO Bank, Allahabad Bank are common especially during evenings. The footpath has become parking lot for many in front of the Megamart and Charmm Collections. While, no footpath exists near the Sakashtahara Maha Ganapathi temple.
When asked, the corporator, a helpless Gopala Krishna said, “BBMP has to release funds to set right the roads and footpath here. I visit the ward frequently and see to it that people’s problems are addressed. We have vacated the vendors but they come back.”