NOW, IS THE BEST TIME, TO MAKE NAMMA BENGALURU – A WALKER FRIENDLY CITY!

Namma Bengaluru has many titles – Garden city, Lake city, pensioner’s paradise, IT city of India, etc.

Now, let us make Namma Bengaluru ‘Best city for walking’ – where walking is a pleasure.

In this process we are abiding the hon. Supreme Courts orders dated June 19th 2026. 

A. Hon. Supreme Court Judgement – Important points.

Hon. Supreme Court’s orders are very simple and clear.

Every road shall have demarcated and well-maintained footpaths.
Right to walk (on demarcated footpaths) shall have priority over movement by motorised vehicles.
B. Govt of Karnataka has rightly initiated action under – Safe Footpath Campaign from July 2026.

1. For the first time in decades, highest authorities of the Govt. including the Chief Commissioner – GBA and commissioners of Corporation are part of Safe Footpath campaign.

2. Bengaluru development minister, who is also a senior cabinet minister has accepted publicly, need for safe footpaths in Bengaluru.

3. For the first time the Govt of Karnataka has started a campaign for ‘Safe Footpath’ and set timeline for its implementation.

4. The hon. Minister himself is reviewing progress. In his statement to the press, he mentioned that the fundamental right for safe footpaths should be respected for the greater good. He also conceded that it is a politically risky and unpopular decision, but necessary for the sake of Bengaluru.

5. Even the hon. Chief minister is supporting the campaign, after due consultations with the opposition parties.

Suggestions for a successful Safe Footpath campaign.

1. SPV for Footpath space management - Footpath managing committee, at every zone. 

Let us constitute an SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle) for the judicious use of footpath space (including restored/reclaimed) with representation from all stake holders, viz pedestrians, hawkers, town planning authority, The Town vending committee, NGO, etc. The SPV can be called ‘Footpath managing Committee’.  The Footpath managing committee’ will decide the use of footpath space for others, after providing space for pedestrian and carriageway. We can have one Footpath managing committee for each zone of every Corporation.

2.Department for reclaiming/restoration of footpaths - Safe Footpath, at each ward.

Let us have ‘The Safe Footpath department’ at each ward, under an Assistant Engineer or appropriate level of officer. Let us have, Safe Footpath department (similar to Road infra) at all levels, from ward office to Commissioner’s office. The Safe footpath department takes the responsibility of physically reclaiming/restoration of footpath and maintain the same. The Safe footpath department is provided with all the required, men and machinery.  The safe footpath department also gets necessary support from police, marshals, traffic police, etc., besides higher authorities, in carrying out their job.

3.Aap for reporting status of footpath

Let us develop an Aap, similar to BBMPsahaya or Fix my street to report status of footpath, where people can report status of footpath with photograph and location.

4. Temporary Halt for new roads.

To mobilize maximum resources for expediting Safe footpath campaign, let us take a temporary halt for new roads. With temporary halt for new roads, all the available resources can. be used for speedy restoration of footpaths and better maintenance of existing roads. With a temporary halt for new roads, we are complying with the 2nd point of hon. Supreme Courts -

-          Right to walk (on demarcated footpaths) shall have priority over movement by motorized vehicles.

We can make Bengaluru – walker friendly with least time and cost if we take immediate steps, suggested above, which are practical.

The suggested steps, besides complying with hon. Supreme courts orders satisfies all stake holders, in a systematic way.