Bengaluru's JC Road White-Topping Project Fails to Address Pedestrian Encroachments
In Bengaluru, the white-topping work on JC Road, one of the city's busiest commercial corridors, is progressing, but pedestrians report that little has changed on the ground. Footpaths continue to be occupied by parked bikes, makeshift ramps, and shop extensions, despite the infrastructure upgrade aimed at improving the area.
Project Details and Persistent Issues
The white-topping project is being carried out from Minerva Circle to Town Hall over a stretch of approximately 1.5 kilometers. It features a 15-meter-wide carriageway and 2.5-meter footpaths on both sides. However, encroachments persist, with residents and activists highlighting ongoing chaos.
"Nothing has changed on JC Road except the road surface. The chaos continues," said CN Kumar of the Firstblock Organisation of Residents for Clean Environment (FORCE) RWA. This sentiment is echoed by mobility experts who note that the stretch suffers from multiple encroachments.
Expert Analysis and Recommendations
According to Rajagopalan, convener of the Bengaluru Mobility Federation, footpaths are occupied by parked two-wheelers, car accessory displays, and agricultural product vendors. "Many shops created makeshift concrete ramps on the footpath to move goods, which completely blocks pedestrian movement," he explained. He added that the absence of protective grills allows shops to carry out loading and unloading directly on the footpath.
Rajagopalan suggested installing stainless steel grills, similar to those on Brigade Road, and more bollards to protect pedestrian space. "But enforcement is equally important," he emphasized, pointing out that without strict measures, the problem will persist.
Urban strategist Vinod Jacob also stressed the need to prioritize pedestrian movement along this busy corridor. "Parking on footpaths must be strictly banned on this one-way road to protect pedestrians' right of way," he said. Jacob proposed designating paid parking for four-wheelers on one side and two-wheelers on the other, while directing vehicles to nearby multi-level parking complexes. "Obstructing footpaths is unacceptable — safe walkability must be prioritised," he asserted.
Shopkeepers' Perspective
Shopkeepers on JC Road, however, argue that the lack of organized parking is forcing customers to use footpaths. Ismail Khan, a car accessories shop manager, stated, "There is no proper parking space on JC Road. If vehicles park on the side of the road, traffic will completely choke. Many customers park their bikes on the footpath for a few minutes to buy accessories and leave."
Manohar Patel, who runs another automobile store, seconded this view, questioning the city's parking infrastructure. "The GBA creates so many multilevel car parks (MLCP) across the city, but what about the city centre, where there is so much trade and business happening?" he asked, highlighting a gap in urban planning.
Official Response and Future Steps
Senior GBA officials from BCCC have acknowledged the issue, stating, "We shall look into the issue seriously and try to find a solution at the earliest. However, we are penalising the unauthorised footpath encroachers." This indicates a recognition of the problem, but the effectiveness of these penalties remains to be seen as encroachments continue.
The situation on JC Road underscores a broader challenge in Bengaluru's urban development: balancing infrastructure upgrades with effective enforcement and parking management. As the white-topping work nears completion, stakeholders hope for a more pedestrian-friendly environment, but current reports suggest that without comprehensive solutions, the chaos may endure.
