This initiative of the traffic police aims at creating convenient and safe footpaths for pedestrians in the city.

The city's traffic police have proposed a comprehensive policy for the development and maintenance of footpaths. The policy, which is in its final stages, will be put up before the State Government for clearance and approval.

According to K C Ramamurthy, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic and Security), the traffic police are extremely concerned about the way in which footpaths, especially in commercial pockets, have been encroached on by hawkers. The lack of space for pedestrians, that puts them danger of being involved in accidents, is another concern.

Once the policy is framed, it will also be sent to the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) for suggestions, before a final policy is brought out to put an effective system in place. The policy, which is a first of its kind, will bring the traffic police and BBMP together for effective implementation and maintenance of footpaths. This joint effort should make life a lot easier for pedestrians in the city, especially the elderly and children.

It aims at putting in place an aggressive approach to maintaining footpaths. It also has an agenda to develop aesthetic and convenient footpaths for pedestrians on all roads. This entails even, properly-laid footpaths, easy to walk on. The traffic police are doing this as an initiative of their own.

What the policy covers

1. The policy will recommend stringent action against those encroaching on footpaths.
2. It will recommend action against those using footpaths as a dumping ground
3. It will also formulate rules to ensure that when roads are widened and footpath space is taken up for that widening, adequate provisions are made for pedestrians by the BBMP
4.It will also recommend action against people who convert footpaths into parking lots and gardens
5.Wherever new layouts are formed, the policy will make it mandatory to provide footpaths for the convenience of pedestrians
6. The purpose of this initiative by the traffic police is also to ensure a smooth flow of traffic. Traffic flow is hampered because a large number of pedestrians walk on the roads, due to the footpaths being occupied or unfit to walk on. This has led to accidents involving pedestrians.

By Poornima B V