Bengaluru's JP Nagar residents hold 'peace walk' over encroachments

Residents of JP Nagar in Bengaluru held a peaceful march on Saturday in a bid to raise issues regarding the infrastructure on 24th main road in the area. The group had earlier submitted a petition signed by 2,000 residents of the area demanding a revamp in the infrastructure on the 1.8 km stretch on 24th main road that connects Jayanagar and JP Nagar. 

"If you walk on this stretch as opposed to driving a vehicle, you will realise the encroachment that has taken place here. There are micro breweries, hookah bars, large convention centres, all built without adequate parking facilities, which have clogged up the road," says Rajesh Soundarajan, a resident. 

According to the residents highlighting the civic apathy in the area, convention centres with a capacity of over 1,000 people, have parking available for just 50-100 vehicles.  

"When you drive a vehicle on the road, it takes 30 minutes to cross this small stretch. Sometimes, it takes longer," adds Rajesh. 

Another resident, Rupa Srihari, points out that there are no road signs or no-parking boards present on the road. "This entire road is riddled with bad traffic management with zero traffic planning and enforcement. Even the road signs and no-parking boards are absent, let alone management of traffic. The sheer negligence is seen in the way there is no proper footpath for even children and old people," she says. 

Several apartments are located in this area including Brigade Millennium, Brigade Palmsprings, Sobha Tulip, L&T South City, and Elita Promenade. Residents from these apartments and those residing in individual houses in the area took part in the march, which was done without disrupting traffic.