Karnataka high court orders notice over footpath encroachments | Bengaluru News

Bengaluru: The high court Monday ordered notice to the govt, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and police in response to a PIL seeking to ensure the city’s roads and footpaths are maintained properly without any obstructions and in compliance with requirements of Persons With Disability (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 2016.A division bench of acting Chief Justice V Kameshwar Rao and Justice CM Joshi directed them to submit their responses to the PIL filed by Letzkit Foundation, a Bengaluru-based NGO. The petitioner highlighted the kinds of encroachment visible across the city — fencing of footpaths to raise gardens, putting up barricades, placing large pots with plants on footpaths, extension of business premises, and construction of religious places on pavements. Additionally, parking of vehicles, storing of construction materials, construction of public toilets, transformers, and drinking water facilities on footpaths were also mentioned.According to the petitioner, BBMP has a statutory duty to ensure roads and footpaths are well maintained. “However, the factual position is the reverse of it, and that has remained the same notwithstanding directions issued by the court in earlier proceedings,” the petitioner stated.