Cement slabs fixed beside a house gate and debris left after stormwater drain work have narrowed a stretch of Kasturba Road in Bengaluru, prompting residents to seek immediate action from the GBA over the risk to pedestrians and motorists.
The obstruction is located near the main entrance of Kingfisher Towers at the Kasturba Road–Shantala Nagar Cross. Residents say a homeowner has cemented slabs on both sides of a gate, leaving limited space for vehicles and people to pass on an already narrow stretch.
Niveditha, a resident who recently drove through the area, said she nearly collided with the slabs while moving left to make way for an oncoming vehicle. She said she initially believed the slabs were loose stones and realised only the following day that they had been cemented in place.
The slabs are estimated by residents to be around eight to 10 inches high. They say the fixed barriers are particularly dangerous when vehicles travelling in opposite directions attempt to pass, and could create additional risks after dark. Residents have suggested flexible red traffic delineators, barricades or other temporary measures to prevent parking outside gates without creating permanent roadside hazards.
The issue is compounded by cement slabs and debris reportedly left behind after workers desilted a stormwater drain in the area two months ago. Residents say the material has not been cleared and has further reduced the usable road space, forcing pedestrians and motorists to negotiate a congested section alongside the cemented barriers.
Residents told Bangalore Mirror that they alerted beat officers about the slabs at night. According to them, the officers agreed that the obstruction was improper and advised them to approach the GBA for its removal. Residents also said the officers informed GBA officials about the matter while work was continuing in the area.
On Tuesday, residents submitted a complaint to the GBA requesting the removal of both the cemented slabs and the leftover debris. They urged civic officials to inspect the location, determine how the slabs were installed along the roadside and assess whether they could be removed immediately.
The residents said repeated appeals had not yet resulted in action and warned that the narrowed passage could lead to accidents, particularly in low-light conditions. The complaint places two separate civic responsibilities at issue: preventing private encroachment or hazardous roadside construction, and restoring road space after public drainage work.
When contacted by Bangalore Mirror, the GBA Assistant Engineer for Ashok Nagar said the department would examine the complaint and rectify the issue soon. The proposed inspection and response from the civic authority are the next steps in determining whether the slabs and debris will be removed and how the obstruction was allowed to remain in place.
