Sign In
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
In a major move to enhance pedestrian safety and alleviate chronic traffic congestion, Bengaluru is set to build 78 new skywalks at busy junctions across the city. This initiative, spearheaded by the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), aims to move foot traffic off the streets, allowing vehicles to flow more freely below.
Bengaluru already has 82 skywalks, but the new additions are intended to address the critical challenge of clearing pedestrian crossings at high-traffic areas.
Why the need for skywalks erupt in Bengaluru?
Traffic Joint Commissioner Karthik Reddy emphasised the necessity of this plan, stating, "Clearing pedestrian traffic within 30 seconds is nearly impossible." He explained that even with zebra crossings, pedestrians struggle to navigate fast-moving vehicles, leading to bottlenecks, accidents, and huge traffic slowdowns.
"The proposed skywalks are designed to address these practical challenges we see on the ground every day by providing a safe, elevated passage for pedestrians," he said..
Skywalks to be constructed at 78 junctions
The proposal, drafted by Reddy, has received in-principle approval from GBA Chief Commissioner M Maheshwar Rao. GBA officials confirmed that the skywalks will be strategically placed at 78 junctions with heavy footfall, where pedestrian movement commonly impedes traffic flow and elevates accident risks. "This project is an effort to incorporate pedestrian-friendly infrastructure without compromising mobility for motorists," officials stated.
The city urgently needed such infrastructure due to concerning NCRB data. In 2023, Bengaluru recorded 292 pedestrian fatalities, representing a stark 9.48 per cent of such deaths across 53 major cities, placing the city at the top of the list. This figure follows 233 pedestrian deaths in the previous year and 287 before that.
The GBA officials indicated that these projects are likely to be undertaken by private contractors, though a final decision is pending. The budget allocation for the skywalks is also awaiting finalisation as the city transitions from the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to the GBA.
Proposed locations for the new skywalks in Bengaluru
The proposed locations for the new skywalks span a wide range of critical areas in Bengaluru. Key stretches of the Outer Ring Road (ORR) near Bagmane Tech Park, NCC Apartment, and Kadrenahalli Cross are targeted. Major arterial roads, including those on Mysore Road, Old Airport Road, Tumkur Road, and Hosur Road, especially around major bus stands and hospitals like the Satellite Bus Stand and Nimhans, are also included. Additionally, dense inner-city areas such as Richmond Road, Miller Road, Malleshwaram, and vital junctions near Silk Board, Jalahalli Cross, and KR Puram will see these pedestrian overpasses.
