The deathtraps on Bengaluru’s footpaths this rainy season

by June 30, 2016 Governance
What do you do when you see broken footpaths?

Remember the tragic incident that happened two yeas ago, where a nine-year-old child fell into a gap in the footpath during heavy rains, was carried by the gushing storm water and was found dead in a lake three kilometres away?

The incident evoked sharp criticism and responses. A Public Interest Litigation was filed on the issue. The High Court asked the BBMP to repair all the deathtraps on footpaths and clear the encroachment.

It’s almost two years since then. Has the attitude of the administration changed? And has there been enough precaution this rainy season? Citizen Matters did a reality check around the city, and asked the readers to send the photos of broken footpaths. Here is the result:

 

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Footpath slabs are broken almost in every locality. There are some volunteering groups that have taken the situation in their hand are finding solutions to the problem, by fixing it themselves.

Yet the BBMP seems to have closed its eyes towards the existence of death traps and broken slabs on footpaths.

Volunteers fixing the footpath on Outer Ring Road. Pic courtesy: The Ugly Indian FB page

If you happen to see a death trap, you can do the following:

1) Complain to BBMP, through http://bbmp.sahaaya.in/ website or the app.

2) Call the rain help centers and ask the BBMP to fix it

3) Call the ward level officials, corporators or MLAs and ask them to help citizens by getting them closed.

4) Take BBMP officials into confidence and help them fix it, by volunteering, contributing your time and ensuring that it’s done.

Helplines to call:

Sections:

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