BBMP, police begin crackdown on those blocking pedestrian pathways following HC’s directions
The civic body and the traffic police have started cracking the whip on footpath encroachers, mainly vehicle owners and traders, known for obstructing pavements meant for pedestrians.
This drive began after the High Court sought a compliance report, both from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and the police.
Citizen activists insist that these drives should be held routinely.
On Wednesday, traffic police personnel were seen asking street vendors and traders not to occupy the footpaths in places such as Rajajinagar, Mahala­kshmi Layout, Kengeri, Basava­nagudi, Peenya, Vijayanagar, Malleshwaram and other areas.
Penalties were also slapped against people who had parked their vehicles on pavements.
“Since it was a lean day, we conducted a drive to clear encroachments of footpaths by deploying police personnel exclusively for this purpose.
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This is not possible on Mondays and during peak hours when the volume of traffic volume is very high,” said a senior traffic police officer.
The instructions to hold the drive for the benefit of pedestrians, he said, had come from senior officials.
The BBMP also issued a public notice stating that access to a pavement that is in a reasonably good condition is the fundamental right of the citizens.
“If the footpaths are encroached upon in any manner including by parking of vehicles, it will amount to violation,” the notice stated.
“Footpaths are public properties which are intended to serve the convenience of the general public.
They are not laid for private use but meant to provide safety and security to the pedestrians.”
The notice, signed by BBMP Chief Commissioner Gaurav Gupta, stated that the corporation has instructed the police to file criminal complaints against the violators.
The notice also reminded people that parking vehicles on the footpaths is a violation according to the Motor Vehicle Act, Karnataka Traffic Control Act and is also an offence under the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Gupta said there is no proposal to empower marshals with the responsibility of clearing obstructions from the footpath.
“We have asked the police for their support,” he said.
Such a lengthy notice was issued after the High Court reminded the authorities about various laws and judgements that have been passed in different courts on the rights of pedestrians.
The court directed the authorities to ensure footpaths and public streets are kept free from obstructions including illegal parking.
Besides taking action on the removal of vehicles, Court ordered criminal law must be set in motion immediately.
Tens of cars are parked illegally on most roads.
The civic body has been silent about the root cause of the problem – ensuring buildings do not commercialise the basement area that is meant for parking— Kathyayini Chamaraj, civic activist
Both the BBMP and the state government were given six weeks’ time to implement the orders.
Civic activist Kathyayini Chamaraj hoped to see the authorities implement the court orders regularly.
“Tens of cars are parked illegally on most roads.
Many park it on the footpath putting pedestrians to risk.
The real problem lies in the inner roads which are also narrow.
The civic body has been silent about the root cause of the problem – ensuring buildings do not commercialise the basement area that is meant for parking.”
It is also a well-known fact that many traders and street vendors bribe police personnel to run their business on he footpath.
A 2019-20 analysis prepared by the Traffic police showed that the City has been witnessing the death of at least one pedestrian every second day.
Their analysis also showed that after two-wheeler riders, pedestrians are the most vulnerable road users in the City.
After the BBMP issued the public notice on Wednesday, many Residents Welfare Association groups hoped that the police may finally act against footpath encroachers who put pedestrians’ lives at risk.
“Walkability and footpaths are key factors in the growth of any smart city.
Pedestrians should have the right of the footpath to themselves without any obstructions.
It’s crucial to have seamless footpaths for pedestrians as it could also discourage the use of private vehicles for short distances,” said Vinod Jacob of Namma Bengaluru Foundation.
Vijayan Menon, a resident of Koramangala and active citizen said ward committees could play a key role in ensuring that pedestrians have a safe place to walk on the roads.
“Although the ward committees are the constitutionally mandated arm of the local government, not much effort is being put in to strengthen them.
A truly empowered committee can conduct regular checks of the road and bring the loopholes to the notice of the police or authorities.
The truth is that the police are afraid of the elected representatives and they listen to no one.”