Bengaluru: Pedestrians on Old Airport Road between Marathahalli and Kundalahalli Gate are being forced to step onto the busy carriageway to get past a series of footpath obstructions. The problem is particularly acute near Kundalahalli Gate underpass, where a commercial complex has enclosed a section of the footpath within its compound, citing pending land compensation.The road connecting Marathahalli, Kundalahalli Gate and Varthur Kodi is a key route towards Whitefield and carries heavy traffic through the day. While footpaths have improved at some locations, residents said the stretch near the underpass remains difficult to negotiate because of waterlogging, parked and moving two-wheelers, cables, Bescom equipment and a bus shelter.Aparna Khatri, a Marathahalli resident, said the combination of these problems makes walking difficult. “Two-wheelers are parked and even driven on the pavement, while hanging and tangled cables and Bescom equipment further obstruct the footpath. There is also constant waterlogging towards Kundalahalli Gate signal, making a large part of the road unusable,” she said.Another resident said poor pedestrian infrastructure is influencing how people travel. “Even for places within walking distance, we prefer to take a car because walking is so difficult, especially when it rains. I stay five minutes from my workplace, but take a car, which takes 20 minutes. This is also one reason there are so many cars on the roads,” the resident said.Having lived in the area for 12 years, the resident said footpaths have improved near Whitefield and Kundalahalli signal, but this stretch has remained problematic. The resident also recalled an elderly man suffering a head injury after being hit by a bike while walking near the spot.The resident said the ongoing ‘Safe Footpaths’ drive should also cover the area. “The medical student who died a few months ago near RR Medical College after a truck ran over her was my friend’s daughter. Even recently, there was a case of a woman dying after skidding off a bike. These incidents happen and the authorities do nothing.”The stretch is part of Old Airport Road, where Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Ltd (B-Smile) is undertaking works under the high-density corridor project. The 19.5km corridor runs from ASC Centre to Kadugodi via Varthur Kodi.A B-Smile assistant executive engineer said he was trying to address the issue by writing to Bengaluru East City Corporation authorities. “We’re constantly facing hurdles from property owners and influential locals who interfere with ongoing works and create conflict,” he said.On the commercial complex, he said the property owner has alleged that compensation has not been paid. “We can only take up works; the responsibility for clearing encroachments rests with corporation officials,” he said.
