Bengaluru: After years of struggle, residents along Holiday Village Road at Mallasandra, off Kanakapura Road, have finally seen some relief with road improvement work nearing completion. However, a new problem has cropped up almost immediately — encroachment of footpaths.
Vendors occupy footpaths
Locals say all kinds of shops have come up along the road, occupying the footpaths. They add that vehicles are parked on the road because of vendors selling tea and fast food, further slowing down traffic. When TOI visited the area, there were at least five street vendors occupying the footpaths. A few pedestrians were seen walking on the road due to lack of space on the footpaths.
Residents' complaints ignored
Residents say despite multiple complaints since February, no action has been taken by civic authorities. They add that the problem has worsened with the concretisation of the 2.5 km stretch. Resident Gayathri Paptimar filed a complaint with Lokayukta on April 23 against two senior Bengaluru South City Corporation officials, alleging failure to remove the encroachments.
Association voices concerns
Meena RK, president of Purva Highland Residents' Welfare Association, which comprises 1,097 flats, said: "After three years of struggle, we finally got a proper road, but now vendors are encroaching upon footpaths. We've been raising objections and approached officials and also police with letters. While they hear us out, nothing really happens on the ground."
The situation highlights the ongoing civic challenges in Bengaluru, where infrastructure improvements often lead to new problems due to lack of enforcement. Residents hope that their complaints will finally be addressed, restoring the footpaths for pedestrians.
