BENGALURU: Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said of 1,000 road accidents reported in Bengaluru, 30% of the fatalities are pedestrians, and such deaths can be prevented through safe footpaths.
To this end, a ‘Safe Footpath Campaign’ will be launched after July 1 and works worth Rs 70 crore will be taken up under the initiative, the minister told reporters after holding a meeting to review the status and encroachment of footpath. Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) Chief Commissioner M Maheshwar Rao, commissioners of five city corporations, Joint Commissioner of Traffic Police Karthik Reddy and other senior officials attended the meeting.
Gowda said the funds will be used to repair about 2,000 km of footpaths under the jurisdiction of five corporations. “Necessary repair works, including slabs, kerb stones, and level differences, have been instructed to be carried out quickly.”
The minister stressed that footpaths are the property of about 1.5 crore people in the city, and shop owners should not encroach on footpaths. “The construction of safe footpaths has been a long-standing demand of the people. Everyone should respect the Supreme Court order and cooperate in clearing encroachments,” he said.
The Supreme Court has clarified that walking on footpaths is a fundamental right of every citizen and has directed local bodies of all states to implement it.
“The work of clearing encroachments on footpaths will be carried out effectively across the city. Many shops are placing their goods, name boards and other items on footpaths, causing inconvenience to the public. Therefore, shop owners are being given an opportunity to voluntarily clear the encroachments till July 1. If the encroachment continues even after that, the corporation will clear it and impose a heavy fine as per the rules,” he said.
The minister warned that if vehicles are parked on footpaths in violation of the Supreme Court order, they will be towed away.
“From July 1, officials have been instructed to affix notice stickers to vehicles parked on the roadside across the city. A 7-day period will be provided after affixing the stickers. If the vehicles are not removed even after this, they will be towed and auctioned from July 10,” he said.