Krishna Byre Gowda urges Transport Minister to increase footpath riding fine to ₹5,000

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Published - July 22, 2026 10:01 pm IST - Bengaluru

On the wrong track: The ongoing encroachment clearance has reclaimed footpaths for pedestrians, but motorists using cleared spaces to ride their vehicles is intolerable, says Krishna Byre Gowda. | Photo Credit: ALLEN EGENUSE J.

Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda has written to the Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh urging him to increase the penalty for riding motor vehicles on footpaths from the existing ₹500 to ₹5,000.

Chairing a meeting with Bengaluru Traffic Police on Wednesday, the Minister said the ongoing encroachment clearance has reclaimed footpaths for pedestrians after the removal of street vendors, but motorists using the cleared spaces to ride their vehicles is intolerable and not appropriate.

Mr. Gowda questioned who would be held responsible if pedestrians were injured or killed because vehicles were being driven on footpaths and directed the traffic police to initiate stringent legal action against violators. The Minister said only a substantial increase in the penalty would serve as an effective deterrent.

The Minister also stressed the need for stricter enforcement of parking regulations on Bengaluru’s arterial and sub-arterial roads, stating that indiscriminate parking continues to worsen traffic congestion.

He said that while an alternate-day or one-side parking system is already in force on several major roads, motorists continue to park vehicles on both sides, defeating the purpose of the regulation.

Mr. Gowda pointed out that no fresh notification was required to enforce the current regulations. Strict implementation of the alternate parking system, he said, would leave at least seven to eight feet of road space free on one side, improving traffic flow and easing congestion.

The Minister added that investments worth lakhs of crores alone would not solve Bengaluru’s traffic woes unless motorists complied with traffic and parking regulations. He directed officials to intensify public awareness campaigns on parking rules while ensuring strict enforcement of the alternate parking system.

The Minister also directed officials to prevent vehicles, including BMTC buses, from stopping unnecessarily near traffic signals, saying such practices contribute to traffic bottlenecks.

He instructed that no bus stop should be located within 75 meters of a traffic signal or within 50 meters of a road junction. He directed officials to identify and relocate bus stops that do not comply with these norms.

Published - July 22, 2026 10:01 pm IST

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