Restaurant encroaches footpath in HSR Layout; authorities take action

By Anuksha Dey

Silbatti, a restaurant on 19th Main in HSR Layout, built a tin shed on the footpath. Upset residents took to social media, prompting the authorities to take some action. Based on their pressure, the restaurant proprietor reduced the size of the shed from 5-feet to 2-feet (width). However, part of the structure (2-feet) still remains on the drain next to the footpath, and is still not in line with the rest of the boundary wall of Silbatti. The authorities have promised action on this as well.

The residents’ response

The footpath on 19th Main is hardly walkable, with fruit juice parlours, repair shops, and showrooms encroaching the pedestrian space. When a commercial establishment began to encroach the footpath in front of it, they complained to the authorities. “The construction causes inconvenience to pedestrians on a footpath already encroached by under construction buildings,” tweeted Prasanna Kumar Bhat. BBMP’s solid waste management cell was quick to forward this complaint to the BBMP Joint Commissioner (Bommanahalli) for action.

HSR resident Ramakant Nargund also reacted by saying, “Walkable footpaths have become encroach-able footpaths… this is the fate of pedestrians.” 

Action taken

“We have already changed the location of the shed,” said a spokesperson from Silbatti. “Yesterday, our fabricator broke the boundary wall, and moved the shed inside.” 

Currently, the shed is about six-feet in length and two-feet in width. It is still under construction and the interior lies empty. A large part of the tin structure remains on the pavement, and a portion of the footpath seems to have been damaged too.

“We have already received a complaint regarding this and action will be taken,” said N Ramakrishna, BBMP Joint Commissioner (Bommanahalli). “Tomorrow, the shed will be removed.”