Confusing and chaotic — that is how one would describe the scenario in Wilson Garden ,8th Main Road. As you take a walk down the narrow lane behind Adugodi Post Office, you will see a whole lot of disturbing things occupying the footpath. From piled up garbage to broken and wobbly slabs, these footpaths are a reminder of how failed management and lackadaisical attitude can destroy your surroundings. With footpaths varying in size from one street to the other, pedestrians have no choice but to use the roads. “A lot of people use this route to bypass the Hosur Road traffic. Recently, when it rained, the condition of footpaths was despicable, to say the least. There was water flowing through every crack and wobbly slab,” said Sanjana Mathur, a resident.
To top it all, there are vehicles parked on the pavements all the time. From trucks, cars to even bicycles, people are seen using these footpaths as parking space. Moreover, a mechanic shop located right opposite the post office has piled up a lot of junk on the footpaths. On questioning them about encroaching footpaths, the shop owners claimed that lack of space is a perennial issue in the city.
Towards, Wilson Garden police station, as we a take a left turn from Cafe Coffee Day, the situation worsens. Chaat wallahs and vegetable vendors have occupied most of the footpaths in the area. Urging that authorities take strict action against people who encroach footpaths, Arvind Raju, a resident said, “We get excuses like what are these people supposed to do? Why not provide a solution that is beneficial to all? With monsoons nearing, the last thing I need to keep in mind while walking is that one wrong step could be fatal.”
When these issues were brought to the notice of corporator D Chandrappa, he said, “The tender for footpath maintenance has already been processed. We weren’t able to do it till now because we there were no funds. The work will begin in a month.”