Bengaluru: Minister Gowda orders removal of Bescom obstructions on footpaths under 'Freedom from Waste' drive

Bengaluru: Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda on Tuesday directed Bescom to prepare a comprehensive inventory of electricity utility-related obstructions on footpaths across the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) area and begin removing them from August 1 as part of the city's "Freedom from Waste" campaign.

The minister issued the directions during a virtual review meeting on relocating transformers and other Bescom installations that obstruct pedestrian movement.

A citywide cleanliness drive involving multiple departments will be launched from August 1, with the removal of Bescom-related obstructions forming a key component of the campaign, he said.


Byre Gowda said disused and damaged electricity poles, hanging wires and low-hanging rods attached to transformers pose a serious risk to pedestrians and must be removed immediately. Transformers blocking footpaths should be shifted to suitable locations, while officials should prepare both short-term and long-term plans to permanently address utility-related encroachments on pedestrian spaces.

The minister said electricity poles located in the middle of footpaths have, in several cases, facilitated complete encroachment of pedestrian pathways. He also noted that some apartment complexes have installed transformers on footpaths and other public spaces. Property owners should be directed to relocate such transformers within their premises, while Bescom should launch a special drive to eliminate these obstructions, he said.

Referring to the ongoing footpath encroachment clearance drive on arterial and sub-arterial roads, Byre Gowda directed officials to complete the inventory of all Bescom-related obstructions and prioritise their removal in the first phase to create safe and unobstructed footpaths.

He also ordered the removal of all unused electricity poles and the clearing of waste accumulated around them. Transformer installations should be redesigned to minimise inconvenience to pedestrians, with rods fixed at a minimum height of seven feet. Officials were asked to adopt uniform design standards for utility infrastructure on footpaths across the city.

GBA Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao said fencing around old transformers has obstructed pedestrian movement and become a dumping spot for waste. He directed officials to remove the waste, convert old transformers into single-pole units where feasible and relocate them wherever necessary.

Bescom Managing Director N Shivashankara said about 7,000 old transformers on footpaths have already been replaced. A comprehensive inventory of the remaining transformers and other obstructions is being prepared, and the balance will be addressed in phases under a special campaign, he added.