Bengaluru's Streets Under the Spotlight: Footpaths, Fines, and Accountability on the City's Roads

From a sweeping footpath clearance drive to a proposed new policy on street banners and an embarrassing lapse in road coordination, Bengaluru's streets have become a front line for the city's ongoing battle to improve public infrastructure and civic governance.

🚶 Safe Footpath Drive Clears Over 200 km Cumulatively

Now in its third day, Bengaluru's 'Safe Footpath' campaign cleared an additional 61.45 km of encroached pedestrian pathways, bringing the total distance reclaimed since the drive began to more than 202 km across the city's five corporations. Workers using JCBs, tractors and tippers removed petty shops, pushcarts, sheds, roof structures and ramps, and some corporations also towed away abandoned vehicles blocking footpaths. Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda emphasized that the campaign targets only the 20 percent of roads with the highest pedestrian traffic and is not aimed at disrupting street vendors on other roads. The minister noted that MLAs from all political parties have extended their support, and that the drive is being carried out in compliance with Supreme Court directions. [4]

📋 New Footpath Policy and Rs 1 Lakh Fine for Illegal Banners

Bengaluru is set to introduce a new footpath policy, and as part of the broader push to clean up public spaces, illegal flex banners and hoardings will attract fines of up to Rs 1 lakh. The proposed measures are part of a wider effort by city authorities to enforce civic order on public thoroughfares and reduce visual clutter that has long plagued the city's roads. Officials have indicated that the policy is intended to protect pedestrian rights while also bringing order to advertising on public infrastructure. The announcement has been welcomed by resident welfare groups who have long complained about banners obstructing footpaths and road visibility. [8]

🚧 Nobody Knows Who Dug Up the Outer Ring Road

During a late-night inspection of the Outer Ring Road corridor between Lowry Junction and Silk Board Junction, Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda discovered a freshly asphalted service road that had been cut open — and not one official present could say which agency was responsible. East Bengaluru City Corporation officials initially attributed the excavation to BESCOM, but the power utility denied any involvement, leaving the gathering of officials without an answer. The minister pointed to the possibility that an OFC laying agency may have been responsible and directed officials to get a definitive answer from BESCOM. The incident laid bare the chronic lack of coordination between Bengaluru's multiple civic and utility agencies, a problem that has long frustrated residents and administrators alike. [9]

Sources: [4] Deccan Herald · [8] India Today · [9] The News Minute