The Greater Bengaluru Authority has directed officials to prepare a Detailed Project Report for improving junctions along Bannerghatta Main Road between Gottigere and Tavarekere after an inspection identified missing footpaths, unsafe crossings, open drains and utility obstructions affecting pedestrians in south Bengaluru.
GBA Chief Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao issued the direction during an inspection of a 3.2-km stretch between Kalena Agrahara Metro Station and IIMB Metro Station. The proposed junction improvements are intended to support smoother traffic movement while making the corridor safer for people walking to metro stations, bus stops and surrounding neighbourhoods.
During the inspection, Mr. Rao flagged the absence of a safe pedestrian pathway near a bus stop located about 50 metres from Kalena Agrahara Metro Station. Officials were asked to examine the feasibility of providing a safe crossing near the station, taking into account site conditions and the road’s 10.5-metre carriageway width.
The inspection highlights the difficulty of providing safe last-mile access even along a corridor served by metro infrastructure. Pedestrians using the road currently face stretches without footpaths, road crossings that do not offer adequate protection, open drains and obstructions from utility installations. These conditions can force people to walk close to moving traffic or cross the carriageway at locations without formal pedestrian facilities.
The Chief Commissioner also instructed officials to coordinate with optical fibre cable operators to relocate chambers and cables blocking footpaths. Traffic police officials were asked to identify alternative locations for police cabins that have been installed on pedestrian pathways.
Bangalore Electricity Supply Company equipment was another focus of the inspection. Officials were directed to explore shifting Ring Main Unit equipment obstructing pedestrian movement to nearby properties. The directions indicate that any junction and footpath redesign on the corridor will require coordination between the civic administration, traffic police, utility agencies and private network operators.
The proposed DPR is expected to examine the infrastructure and operational changes required at junctions along the Bannerghatta Main Road stretch. Its preparation will be the next step before the authority can assess the scope, design and implementation requirements of the work. The report’s recommendations will determine how pedestrian crossings, footpaths, utility equipment and traffic movement are addressed along the corridor.
