Clogged and neglected: Cubbonpete’s heritage streets cry for revamp

Bengaluru

Cubbonpete (Ward 123), known for its deep historical roots in Bengaluru, encapsulates the vibrant heritage of the city’s old commercial centre, the Pete.The name ‘Cubbonpete’ refers to an area once famous for its traditional textile trade, located in the heart of the city’s original market district.This ward forms a crucial part of West Bengaluru, offering a mix of residential layouts and commercial activity.

Congestion takes over Cubbonpete

Once a bustling stretch of trade and enterprise, this part of the city has now turned into an extremely congested pocket for both residents and commuters. The narrow roads make it nearly impossible for four-wheelers to navigate without difficulty.The moment one enters the area, chaos unfolds — pedestrians spill onto the streets due to the near absence of usable footpaths. Where pavements do exist, they are cluttered with tree branches, vendor carts, abandoned furniture, and other obstructions.

Encroachments and traffic chaos

Cubbonpete, known for its numerous small businesses and eateries, sees many of them extending their operations onto the footpaths and roads.This not only hampers mobility but also creates unsafe conditions for pedestrians, who are often forced to walk alongside moving vehicles on the already congested roads.News Trail’s ground report observed that the traffic bottleneck is particularly severe along K.M. Naganna Road, which experiences heavy inflow throughout the day.

“We don’t have much trouble with water or electricity; it’s mainly the two-wheelers here. They’re a real headache!” said Divya, a resident, pointing to the haphazard parking of bikes across all streets. “This has become a regular menace in Cubbonpete,” she added.

Waste management and infrastructure issues

Adding to the chaos are the visible garbage dumps scattered across the area. “The garbage trucks collect waste only from the end of the street,” said Narayana, another resident.Residents added that even where the roads are wide enough, the trucks stop at the far end, forcing them to carry their waste up to the collection point.The state of infrastructure mirrors the condition of the roads — tightly packed buildings stand in violation of the GBA's spacing norms and remain vulnerable to fire hazards.

A call for urban renewal

While these issues are evident, resolving them poses a major challenge. Meaningful improvement will require large-scale restructuring and effective urban planning reforms. Authorities must act swiftly to ensure safer and better living conditions for Cubbonpete’s residents.For now, residents continue to navigate cluttered lanes and unsafe walkways, hoping for cleaner and more dignified surroundings.