Bengaluru’s efforts to clear encroachments from footpaths are drawing attention to a second, less visible problem: many walking routes remain difficult to use even after obstructions are removed. Broken surfaces, uneven paving, missing sections and poorly maintained stretches are leaving pedestrians with limited safe space, raising questions about whether enforcement is being matched by basic pedestrian infrastructure.
The Bengaluru footpath problem is particularly significant in a city where millions of short trips begin or end on foot. A clear pavement has little practical value if pedestrians are forced around broken slabs, open drains, utility poles or sudden changes in level. The result can push people towards carriageways, increasing exposure to fast-moving traffic.
For older residents, children and people with mobility limitations, these conditions can make everyday journeys considerably harder. Women and workers travelling early or late can also face additional difficulties where pedestrian routes are poorly lit, discontinuous or blocked by parked vehicles. The problem is not simply one of maintenance. Bengaluru’s pedestrian network has developed unevenly, with footpaths often treated as residual space after roads, utilities and vehicle access have been planned. That approach can produce narrow walkways, inconsistent widths and frequent conflicts between pedestrians, shop access, parking and infrastructure services.The Bengaluru footpath problem also has a direct connection to public transport. Metro and bus users depend on walking routes for the first and last part of their journeys.
If those connections are uncomfortable or unsafe, the effectiveness of major public transport investments can be reduced, particularly for people who do not own private vehicles. Urban planners increasingly favour continuous pedestrian networks rather than isolated stretches of upgraded pavement. A well-designed network needs consistent surfaces, accessible kerbs, safe crossings, drainage, shade and adequate lighting. These features become even more important as Bengaluru seeks to reduce dependence on private vehicles. There is also an economic case for better walking infrastructure. Pedestrian-friendly streets can improve access to local shops and services while reducing the need for short vehicle trips. For businesses, a comfortable walking environment can increase the number of people able to reach commercial areas without relying on parking. Repairing footpaths also requires coordination. Road agencies, utility providers, traffic authorities and local civic bodies can all affect the condition of the same pavement. Repeated digging without coordinated restoration can quickly undo completed works and waste public resources. Bengaluru’s challenge is therefore to move beyond treating footpath clearance as an enforcement exercise.
A successful pedestrian strategy must ensure that pavements remain usable after they are cleared, with responsibility for maintenance clearly assigned and construction standards consistently applied. For a city seeking cleaner and more inclusive mobility, walking cannot be an afterthought. Safe, continuous footpaths are basic transport infrastructure, and improving them could make public transport more accessible while giving residents a practical alternative to short car and two-wheeler trips.
