Bengaluru civic officials have ordered improvements to pedestrian infrastructure, road works, drainage and underpasses across key roads in the central BBMP area after an inspection of ongoing projects and public facilities on September 29.
Additional Development Commissioner R. Venkatachalapathi reviewed footpath and road development works, the installation of streetlight poles and subways at locations including K.R. Circle, Kumara Krupa Road and Sankey Road. He directed officials to follow prescribed standards while carrying out the works.
At K.R. Circle and Kumara Krupa Road, the official instructed engineers to bring the height of the footpath kerb in line with standards and ensure a smooth connection between the road and the pedestrian path. The direction addresses the transition between carriageways and footpaths, which is important for people entering or leaving the pedestrian network.
The inspection also examined a long-standing waterlogging issue on Sankey Road. Officials found that the inner section of an open drain was only about one foot wide. The narrow section could restrict the movement of larger volumes of rainwater during the monsoon, according to the inspection report.
To improve the flow of stormwater, Venkatachalapathi directed officials to widen the drain according to the requirement at the location. The instruction was issued as part of efforts to find a permanent solution to the water stagnation problem on Sankey Road. The report did not specify the proposed final width, project cost or completion deadline for the drainage work.
Subways near K.R. Circle were also inspected. The additional development commissioner directed officials to provide lighting, cleanliness, waste removal and security measures so that members of the public can use the facilities safely and conveniently. These facilities are intended to support pedestrian movement across busy road sections without requiring people to cross directly through traffic.
The inspection included subways that are currently closed. Officials were instructed to complete the required works quickly and make the facilities available for public use. The report did not identify the number of closed subways or provide a specific date for their reopening.
The directions bring together several parts of Bengaluru’s street infrastructure: the physical connection between roads and footpaths, the capacity of roadside drains, and the condition and safety of pedestrian subways. They also place responsibility on the civic engineering system to address these elements while ongoing works are being executed.
Chief Engineer Vijay Kumar Haridas and Superintending Engineer Chandrashekar were present during the inspection. The next steps are the execution of the kerb, drainage and subway-related works in accordance with the directions issued by the civic administration.
