Pramesh S Jain
Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda has directed BESCOM officials to prepare a comprehensive inventory of all BESCOM-related obstructions on footpaths across the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) area and commence their removal as part of the”Freedom from Waste”campaign,which begins on 1 August.
Addressing a virtual meeting held today on the relocation of BESCOM-related obstructions and transformers located on footpaths,the Minister said that a large-scale citywide cleanliness drive involving multiple departments will be undertaken from 1 August under the “Freedom from Waste” campaign.
He instructed officials to ensure that all BESCOM-related obstructions are removed during the course of this campaign.
Minister noted that disused,old and damaged electricity poles,hanging wires and rods attached to transformers are found across the city at heights that pose a risk of striking pedestrians on the head.
Such hazardous obstructions must be removed immediately.He further directed that transformers obstructing footpaths should be relocated to suitable locations.
Officials were instructed to prepare both short-term and long-term plans to provide a permanent solution to BESCOM-related issues.
The Minister also observed that,in several instances, electricity poles located in the middle of footpaths have been used to facilitate complete encroachment of pedestrian pathways.
Further,some private apartment complexes have installed transformers on footpaths and other public spaces.
He directed officials to prepare a list of such installations and instruct the respective property owners to relocate the transformers within their own premises.
BESCOM was instructed to launch a special drive to eliminate all such obstructions and take the necessary action.
He pointed out that a footpath encroachment clearance drive is currently underway on arterial and sub-arterial roads across the city.
In this context,he directed officials to prepare a comprehensive inventory of all BESCOM-related obstructions and ensure that these are completely removed in the very first phase so that safe and unobstructed footpaths can be created.
The Minister also directed that all unused electricity poles be removed immediately.Waste that has accumulated around such poles should also be cleared.
Officials were instructed to remove all identified obstructions within the stipulated timeline based on the inventory prepared.
He further directed that transformers located on footpaths should be designed and positioned in a manner that does not inconvenience pedestrians.
Rods attached to transformers should be installed at a minimum height of seven feet to ensure they do not pose a hazard to the public.
Officials were instructed to treat footpaths as safe pedestrian zones and implement a uniform design standard across the city.
Chief Commissioner,Maheshwar Rao stated that the fencing erected around old transformers on footpaths is obstructing pedestrian movement.
He also pointed out that waste has been found accumulating within such fenced areas and directed that it be removed.
He instructed officials to convert old transformers into single-pole transformers and relocate them wherever necessary.
BESCOM Managing Director,Shivashankar informed the meeting that nearly 7,000 old transformers located on footpaths across the city have already been replaced.
He said officials have been instructed to prepare a comprehensive inventory of all remaining old transformers and other obstructions.
A uniform design standard will be developed,and the remaining issues will be resolved in a phased manner through a special campaign.
The meeting was attended by Municipal Commissioners, Ramesh D.S,Pommal Sunil Kumar,Ramesh K.N,G. Jagadish and Rajendra K.V,along with Additional Commissioners,Chief Engineers and other senior officials.
