Krishna Byre Gowda Seeks Rs 5,000 Fine for Riding Motor Vehicles on Footpaths
Bengaluru, July 22: Karnataka Minister Krishna Byre Gowda has urged the Transport Department to increase the penalty for riding motor vehicles on footpaths from the existing Rs 500 to Rs 5,000, saying stricter enforcement is needed to protect pedestrians and prevent accidents.
At a meeting with Bengaluru Traffic Police officials on Wednesday, the minister said the ongoing footpath encroachment clearance drive was being carried out in compliance with Supreme Court directions to safeguard pedestrians’ right to walk. While the drive has received public appreciation, he said allowing vehicles to use the cleared footpaths defeats its purpose.
Byre Gowda said complaints had been received about motorists using footpaths without fear of penalty and questioned who would be responsible if pedestrians were injured. He urged traffic police to take strict legal action against violators and said a higher penalty would act as a deterrent.
The minister also asked officials to strictly enforce existing parking regulations. He said alternate or one-side parking systems on major roads were not being followed, resulting in congestion due to parking on both sides throughout the month. Enforcing the existing rules, he said, would improve traffic flow and leave additional road space available each day.
He stressed that public awareness on parking regulations was essential and said traffic congestion could not be resolved through infrastructure spending alone without better compliance.
Byre Gowda further directed officials not to allow buses or other vehicles to stop near traffic signals. He said bus stops should not be located within 75 metres of traffic signals or within 50 metres of road junctions and instructed officials to relocate such bus stops wherever necessary.
Senior Bengaluru Traffic Police officials attended the meeting.
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