Hazardous pedestrian pathways: BSK residents 'forced' to stay indoors

Sowmya Raju | NT

Bengaluru: Banashankari, fondly known as BSK, is a sprawling locality encompassing the southern and western expanses of Bangalore.

Stretching from Mysore Road to Kanakapura Road, it stands as one of the city's largest and most diverse neighbourhoods.

However, beneath its apparent vibrancy, the locality faces multifaceted challenges, particularly within BBMP Ward Number 180.

Geographically, Banashankari's terrain is marked by uneven elevations, contributing to recurrent flooding and waterlogging issues, particularly in the lowerlying areas of the ward.

These challenges pose a significant concern for the residents and demand urgent attention from civic authorities. Primarily a residential area adorned with a few parks, Banashankari grapples with a pressing concern raised by its residents—insufficient public toilets and inadequate maintenance of the existing facilities.

The dearth of accessible and well-maintained public toilets inconveniences those utilising the parks and grounds, impacting the overall livability of the area.

Garbage collection emerges as another prominent issue plaguing Banashankari.

Mini landfills line almost every road, while some vacant plots have transformed into extensive landfill sites, hosting decomposing waste over stretches of 200 to 300 meters.

The escalating garbage crisis not only affects the aesthetic appeal of the locality but also poses severe environmental and health hazards.

A person who was seen throwing a garbage bag into the pile said, “So what? It's not my problem. As if my one garbage bag is going to affect this big pile. Why should I bother? This is the BBMP’s problem now and none of us have time to think about these things when we have our own issues.”

Pedestrian pathways within the ward are virtually unusable, presenting multiple challenges. Illegal parking, broken and uneven surfaces, and encroachments by footpath vendors force pedestrians onto the roads, navigating through vehicular traffic.

This hazardous situation compromises the safety of pedestrians and exacerbates traffic congestion, demanding immediate intervention to restore functional pedestrian pathways.

One senior citizen said, “I used to enjoy walking here, especially in the evenings, but I now feel compelled to stay at home due to the hazardous conditions.”

Junctions within Banashankari suffer from mismanagement, with a conspicuous absence of proper pedestrian crossings. Both pedestrians and vehicles navigate these junctions without adherence to traffic regulations, leading to close accidents and congestion.

This chaotic scenario poses a significant safety threat for riders, drivers, and pedestrians alike, warranting urgent measures to streamline traffic and enhance safety.

The streets of Banashankari now grapple with multiple potholes on almost every road. These pose a daily challenge for commuters, causing vehicular damage and endangering road users.

Residents navigate these surfaces, impacting both safety and the overall infrastructure of the locality. The ward is marred by multiple incomplete projects initiated by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB).

These unfinished projects not only hinder the overall development of the locality but also underscore the need for improved project planning and execution to meet the evolving needs of Banashankari's growing population.