Krishna Byre Gowda Conducts Late-Night Inspection Across Bengaluru, Pulls Up Officials Over Footpath Encroachments and Poor Road Restoration
Bengaluru, July 3: Karnataka’s Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda carried out a surprise late-night inspection across several parts of Bengaluru to review the ongoing footpath encroachment clearance drive and the restoration of roads, drains and public infrastructure. During the inspection, the Minister strongly reprimanded officials over poor coordination among civic agencies and delays in restoring roads after utility works.
Reviewing multiple locations along the city’s Outer Ring Road and other major stretches, Krishna Byre Gowda questioned officials about incomplete restoration work and sought clear answers on which agency was responsible. During the inspection, officials reportedly gave conflicting explanations, with responsibility shifting between BWSSB, KPTCL, BESCOM and OFC cable operators, prompting the Minister to express his displeasure over the lack of accountability.
The Minister observed that whenever questions were raised regarding damaged roads or dug-up footpaths, officials blamed one department after another instead of providing a definite answer. He directed officers to identify the agency responsible for each stretch and ensure that restoration work is completed without further delay.
Krishna Byre Gowda also reviewed the ongoing footpath encroachment removal campaign being undertaken by the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the city’s five municipal corporations. He reiterated that the government’s objective is not to deprive street vendors of their livelihood, but to ensure that pedestrians have safe and obstruction-free walkways on major roads.
Addressing concerns raised by street vendors, the Minister clarified that the government has not banned roadside vending altogether. Instead, vendors have been requested to shift from arterial and main roads to nearby internal roads where they can continue their businesses without obstructing pedestrian movement.
“Nobody is asking street vendors to stop earning their livelihood. They can conduct business on adjoining roads. But is doing business on the main road a fundamental right?” Krishna Byre Gowda remarked while interacting with the media during the inspection.
The Minister expressed serious concern over pedestrian safety, stating that around 300 pedestrians lose their lives every year in Bengaluru in road accidents, many of which occur because people are forced to walk on the carriageway due to encroached footpaths.
“When there is no space left on footpaths, pedestrians are forced onto busy roads where they are hit by vehicles. Who will answer for these deaths? If someone from your own family loses their life in such an accident, what would your response be?” he asked.
He stressed that footpaths are meant exclusively for pedestrians and should remain free from all forms of encroachment. The government, he said, is simultaneously undertaking improvements to roads, storm-water drains and civic infrastructure, especially ahead of the monsoon season, to improve public safety.
The Minister directed officials to intensify enforcement against illegal encroachments while ensuring proper coordination among civic agencies responsible for road restoration. He also warned departments against passing responsibility from one agency to another and called for greater accountability in executing public infrastructure works across Bengaluru.
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