The Greater Bengaluru Authority has begun its Safe Footpath Campaign to tackle obstacles on pavements across the city. Pedestrians continue to face hazards from debris, parked vehicles and uneven surfaces. Data shows Bengaluru recorded 246 pedestrian deaths in 2024.
Footpaths in Bengaluru are frequently blocked by construction debris, garbage, dangling cables and parked vehicles. Residents report that paths often end abruptly or change height, forcing walkers onto roads. A visually challenged man named Ravi said he prefers staying on the road to avoid frequent climbs.
The National Crime Records Bureau data for 2024 ranked Bengaluru highest among major Indian cities for pedestrian deaths, though the figure fell from 292 in 2023 to 246. Students and elderly residents described daily hazards near areas such as Dollars Colony and Victoria Hospital.
The Greater Bengaluru Authority launched the Safe Footpath Campaign to remove these barriers. Some residents allege that street vendors were cleared while restaurant kiosks and official vehicles from agencies like BWSSB remain untouched. The effort is described as the first in a series examining walkway conditions.