Bengaluru: Footpaths close to the National College Metro Station have been dug up and encroached by shops making it impossible for pedestrians to walk, complained citizen-activist Prashant Rao on March 20 through the BBMP's Fix My Street app.
The road has been dug up for concretisation. "In the evening after the sunset, it is impossible to walk on the uneven surface approach road and the approach footpath leading in/out of the National College Metro Station. I have contacted BBMP officials and National College Metro officials, but nobody claims responsibility," Mr Rao stated in his complaint.
Though BBMP officials in an earlier conversation with Deccan Chronicle maintained that the permission to set up shops and maintain the space for pedestrians on footpaths is with the government, no action has been taken to clear encroachments. "The entire approach footpath towards the Metro station is encroached by street shops which is in violation of the law of the land. One should note that the entrance is taken away with autorickshaws blocking it," he complained.
Quoting Article 12 of the Constitution that states that the state has a public duty to perform, Mr Rao said, "Article 12 defines state as Local Bodies-municipal authorities, agencies of the state which discharge public functions of the governmental character. The main component of the state is to ensure the safety of the citizen and right to way."
The road leading to the Metro station also does not have streetlights, he complained. Mayor Gagambike had earlier said that the corporators concerned will be pulled up if the streetlights are not replaced. Despite the orders, many streets across the city are poorly lit and have no lights.
"The Supreme Court in a recent case has clearly directed that the state cannot ignore complaints to the government agencies with regard to prohibiting situation which lead to the violation of Right to Safety of citizens," Mr Rao stated.
