A Campaign for Walkable Streets
Bengaluru has kicked off the 'Safe Footpath Campaign', a major initiative aimed at reclaiming and repairing the city's beleaguered pedestrian walkways. The ambitious project targets about 2,000 km of footpaths, primarily focusing on the arterial and sub-arterial
roads that form the backbone of the city's transport network. The headline's mention of "Five Corporations" refers to the administrative zones under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), which are collectively responsible for executing this city-wide overhaul. This effort is a direct response to long-standing public demand and a Supreme Court directive that affirms walking on a safe footpath as a fundamental right for every citizen.
The Scope of the Overhaul
The government has allocated a significant ₹70 crore for the repair works. This fund is designated for a comprehensive upgrade, which includes fixing broken or missing pavement slabs, repairing kerbstones, and levelling uneven surfaces to make the footpaths truly walkable. The initiative was announced by Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, who emphasised that the goal extends beyond mere repairs. It is part of a broader strategy to make Bengaluru a more pedestrian-friendly city, especially considering that pedestrians account for a staggering 30% of road accident fatalities. The campaign began in earnest on July 1, 2026, with a strong focus on clearing all forms of obstructions.
More Than Just Repairs
A crucial component of the campaign is the large-scale removal of encroachments. For years, footpaths have been blocked by illegal shop extensions, unauthorised parking, abandoned vehicles, and construction debris. Before the repair work can even begin, civic authorities have been conducting extensive demolition drives to clear these obstructions. As of early August 2026, the GBA reported that encroachments had been cleared from over 770 km of pavements across the five city corporation zones. Officials have also made it clear that while street vendors on major roads are being relocated to designated inner ward roads, the intent is not to disrupt livelihoods but to ensure pedestrian safety.
Learning from Past Efforts
Bengaluru has seen previous attempts to upgrade its pedestrian infrastructure, most notably the TenderSURE (Specifications for Urban Road Execution) projects. These projects redesigned key roads in the city's central business district with wider, continuous footpaths and underground utility ducts to prevent constant digging. While praised for their high quality, the TenderSURE model has also been criticized for its high cost and the narrowing of motorable road space. This new campaign, while sharing the goal of improved walkability, appears to be focused on a broader, more rapid restoration of existing footpath networks across the entire city rather than a complete redesign of specific roads.
Challenges and What Lies Ahead
Executing a project of this magnitude in a bustling metropolis like Bengaluru is fraught with challenges. Ensuring the quality of repairs across such a vast network, preventing the re-emergence of encroachments, and coordinating with various utility agencies are significant hurdles. Authorities have warned that strict penalties will be imposed on those who re-occupy cleared footpaths. The success of this campaign hinges on sustained enforcement and a fundamental shift in how public space is perceived and used. For the city's 1.5 crore residents, the hope is that this effort will finally lead to footpaths that are safe, accessible, and truly meant for walking.
