In an effort to ensure pedestrian safety, the Bengaluru Traffic Police launched a “Reclaim Footpath” special drive, in collaboration with the city’s civic body, to clear footpaths of all encroachments on Monday.
This will not only ensure a safe path for pedestrians but also prevent them from walking on the road endangering their lives, M. N. Anucheth, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) said. However, the special drive has drawn the ire of street vendor unions as many street vendors termed “unauthorised” were evicted from the city’s streets on Monday during the drive.
Even though 35% to 40% of the deaths on the city’s streets are pedestrians, BTP has been flooded with complaints during their monthly Janasamparka Sabhe’s that footpaths are not accessible to pedestrians, especially senior citizens, prompting BTP to launch the drive. “While we clear footpaths of illegally parked vehicles, civic officials will clear unauthorised hawkers with no valid licences, who are encroaching pathways and posing a threat to pedestrians,” a senior traffic police official said.
