Amid concerns over pedestrian infrastructure, Bengaluru civic budgets focus on upgrades

Amid concerns over poor pedestrian infrastructure in Bengaluru, the city’s three civic corporations — South, West and North — which presented their maiden budgets on Saturday (March 28), have prioritised pedestrian infrastructure and non-motorised mobility.

The key highlight in the South Corporation budget is a barrier-free elevated skywalk connecting Banashankari Temple, Metro Station, and a Traffic and Transit Management Centre, estimated to cost ₹32 crore. In addition, the corporation has proposed 18 skywalks under the public-private partnership (PPP) model.

An allocation of ₹50 crore has been earmarked for skywalk construction, pedestrian pathway upgrades and junction improvements. The South Corporation has also outlined plans to develop non-motorised transport (NMT) corridors, integrating footpaths, cycling lanes and safe pedestrian crossings.

The West Corporation has proposed an even larger network of skywalks, with plans to construct them at 50 locations, leveraging advertisement-based revenue models. It has also allocated ₹50 crore for skywalks, footpath upgrades, and junction development. Additionally, cycle tracks are planned in at least five locations in each division, including around Nayandahalli Lake.

Meanwhile, the North Corporation has allocated ₹18 crore for the repair and reconstruction of nearly 1,000 km of footpaths across wards at ₹25 lakh per ward. Another ₹50 crore has been set aside for skywalk construction and pedestrian junction improvements.